Parks and Rec Day offers lots of activities for children

The eighth annual Parks and Rec Day in Cape Girardeau promises more of almost everything.

"A full day of fun" is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. today at Osage Community Centre, according to Jared Tanz, recreation coordinator for the city of Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department.

He said children will have more inflatable options, such as Spacewalk Jump, water slide, an obstacle course and climbing wall. Fans of mascots will find plenty -- the Southeast Missourian's own Tracker will be joined by SpongeBob SquarePants, Texas Roadhouse's Andy Armadillo and a Southern Illinois Miners' mascot.

"It's just a day of free activities for the children," he said.

Among the options: participating in relay races, bike demonstrations, games, arts and crafts, and face painting.

"This is definitely a kid-friendly event," Tanz said, because activities are geared toward children from toddlers to teenagers. Parents will be invited to join in some events, he said.

Last year, he said, nearly 1,000 children showed up to play. Despite a late afternoon shower many stuck around through the end of the day. Many activities were simply moved into the Osage Centre, joining planned indoor events, he said.

This year, weather permitting, children will also get to scramble for ping pong balls dropped from an airplane, Tanz said. Each ball can be exchanged for a prize.

Though concessions will be sold during the funfest, Tanz said several booths will hand out ice cream or other treats.

He said the toughest part of organizing the annual event is figuring out space between various play stations and booths, "so someone doing some kind of target practice doesn't get in the way of another booth. That first hour before everyone shows up is busy, then it just takes care of itself when the children start piling in."

While there is no admission and all activities are free, Tanz suggested bringing money for additional concessions.

Parks and Rec Day is co-sponsored by the city, The Southeast Missourian Jr., Schnucks and RC Cola. For details, call 335-5421 or 335-6611.

pmcnichol@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 127