Sponsored by: Imperial County Child Abuse Prevention Council, Imperial County Office of Education, El Centro Parks and Recreation with the assistance of the El Centro Kiwanis Club.
Stiltwalker Yernon Ballesteros lifts Robert Martinez, 4, of El Centro high above the crowd for a bird's-eye view of the activities at the 25th annual Children's Fair at Bucklin Park in El Centro on Saturday. DON THOMPSON PHOTO |
By HEATHER BREMNER, Staff Writer
Saturday, February 21, 2004 10:59 PM PST
Pink-streaked hair, cheeks covered with face paint and hands filled with sweet or savory treats were common sights at Bucklin Park on Saturday — the 25th year the El Centro park has played host to the Imperial Valley Children's Fair.
"I attended it back in 1978 and now my kids come and enjoy it," said Yvette Garcia, executive director of the Imperial County Children and Parents Council, one of the organizations that sponsors the event.
Sue Tally, co-chairwoman of the Children's Fair board, said when she moved to the Valley from San Diego and became involved with CAP, then known as the Child Abuse Prevention Council, she suggested the group host a fair similar to San Diego's.
The point of the fair is to let locals know there are a variety of services available to children and families in the Valley.
The businesses — both for profit and non-profit — set up booths, hand out information and offer kid-oriented activities.
Although the forecast called for showers the sky remained a bit overcast but rain-free for the entire event, a blessing for the hordes of kids, teens and parents who packed the park.
"We were worried about the weather (but) God's shining on us," said Garcia. "And looking up the hill, it's wall-to-wall people."
That's not unusual for the affair, which organizers said is the most popular single-day event in the Valley.
The fair usually attracts about 30,000 attendees and Saturday's event may have exceeded that mark.
As children toured the booths, some shot neon-colored Silly String at one another, others jumped on one of the two inflatable rides and some ran from activity to activity taking part in arts and crafts, watching bands play and riding camels.
Kids climbed in and out of a fire engine and looked at a Naval Air Facility, El Centro jet on display. The jet was a new addition this year that sat on the south end of the park.
Puppies seemed to be the unofficial theme of the fair. Little dogs were everywhere, prancing around the park grounds with their proud owners.
One little girl, wearing a complete Strawberry Short-cake ensemble, carried a tiny puppy in her arms.
When she set her companion down, another little girl ran over to pet the pup and then proceeded to rush over to another puppy owner.
Puppies were popular but nothing at the fair could compare to the popularity of the "Fun Faces and Balloons" booth.
Children requesting paintings of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, mermaids and hearts for their chubby cheeks were fixtures at the booth.
"I've had a line clear out to the field almost all day," said Sherri Congrove, as she drew a Betty Boop caricature on a customer's cheek. "I do this every year because it's a real good cause."
Congrove said the turtle cartoon was the most requested art of the day.
"Today it's been Ninja Turtles, believe it or not."
But Crystal Noriega wanted something different than the crowd.
When she reached the front of the line, the 9-year-old El Centro resident said she was going to ask for a red chili pepper to grace her cheek.
Her sugar-fueled sister said she wanted a red heart.
"I ate a lot of candy," said Ahizza Armstrong, a tiny 7-year-old Washington Elementary School student who likes "lollipops that have chili on them. Those are my favorite."
It was obvious by the steady line formed in front of the Kettle Korn stand that many locals show up for the goodies.
Peggy Calvin, co-chairwoman for the fair board and a member of the CAP board of directors, said the fair is a truly collaborative effort.
From Dennis James, who spent most of the day chopping the carne asada for the burritos sold to raise money for next year's fair to Russell Waggoner, who collected $3,200 in donations, everyone works hard to make sure the fair is a part of the Valley every year.
"This is not a society board," said Calvin. "This is a meat-chopping, floor scrubbing (board)."
>> Staff Writer Heather Bremner can be reached at hbremner@ivpressonline.com or 337-3445.