Rain doesn't keep crowds from attending Parks and Rec Day

The threat of rain may have forced many activities inside Thursday at Parks and Rec Day, but it did not stop more than 1,200 people from turning out.

It also didn't keep people from wanting to get wet.

"Look at me, I got wet," said Sami Davis, 6, who was sprinkled by a fire department hose.

Sprinklers, face painting, arts and crafts, space walks, canon and rifle firings, animal exhibits and photos with SpongeBob SquarePants were just some of the many activities available for children at the eighth annual Parks and Rec Day at the Osage Community Centre in Cape Girardeau.

"We like it all," said Michelle Lichtenegger of Jackson. "There's a lot of fun things here for the kids."

Lichtenegger brought her two children, who said they enjoyed going down the water slide. Lichtenegger's son, Garrett, 4, said he loved the day and then bounced off to the next station.

The water events outside had some of the longest lines. Sprinklers and water guns were available, and the Cape Girardeau Fire Department hooked up a fire hose and helped screaming children spray it into the air.

KIT DOYLE ~ kdoyle@semissourian.com Three-year-old Jarid Cowell called to his family before heading down a water slide Thursday during the eighth annual Parks and Rec Day at the Osage Community Centre.

"I love it," said Capt. John Ryan about his involvement in the day. He and two other firefighters also brought a firetruck on which children could climb.

A Civil War-era cannon and rifle also drew interest outside. Scott House, a re-enactor from Fort D, dressed in a Union army uniform with a fellow re-enactor and led children through the process of firing the cannon and the rifle.

"Anybody want to see a rifle fire?" House asked. Twenty hands shot up.

Inside, the opportunity to take pictures with SpongeBob SquarePants was a huge draw with a line of parents and children that wrapped around several other activities.

"It's the only reason we're here, because of SpongeBob," said Vicki Carroll of Scott City.

The long line to see SpongeBob snaked past several other activities inside, including the table from the Conservation Campus Nature Center where snakes and furs were on display for children to feel and see.

"I like snakes because they're cool," said 6-year-old Ethen Russell, who described the skin of the speckled king snake as "rough."

With all the events going on, some area parents, baby sitters and day care centers wanted to give their children some excitement and experience outside.

"It gets them away from the day care center," said one day care leader from Curious Kids Growth & Development Center in Jackson. "They get so bored. It gives them something to do."

Grandparents were also well-represented at the event. Vincent LaJoie of Cape Girardeau brought his grandchildren to the event to spoil them with fun and sugar.

"Isn't that what grandparents are supposed to do?" he asked.

Some parents were thrilled the city was helping to sponsor the event because it got their children active.

"When I was a young kid, we didn't have this kind of thing going on," said Richard Ware of Cape Girardeau. "Cape has the best resources for this." Ware brought four children to the event and said he thought the event was "a distraction from the video games."

The highlight of the day came around 1:30 p.m. when an airplane dropped 560 pingpong balls on a field adjacent to the Osage Community Centre building. Children scrambled for pingpong balls they could then exchange for a variety of prizes such as free ice cream at Dairy Queen, free french fries at Burger King and St. Louis Cardinals tickets. Every child with a ball could receive a prize.

Parks and Rec Day was sponsored by Cape Girardeau, the Southeast Missourian Jr., Schnucks and RC Cola.

tthomas@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 197

Were you there?

Have a comment?

Log on to semissourian.com/today