First Family Fest a popular event at Crown Point church
With about 600 people in attendance, the First Family Festival in Crown Point was a chance for neighbors and others to gather with lots of smiling children and even a helicopter last Thursday.
The festival had games such as Ring Toss, the Ax Challenge and Toss the Tail on the Donkey.
When participants got hungry, there were hot dogs, drinks, cookies and other refreshments.
Other activities included games, bounce houses, a dunk tank, Touch a Truck, snow cone truck, face-painting and more. Best of all for many parents, the entire event was free.
The First Family event was sponsored by the First Christian
Reformed Church in Crown Point, and many of the volunteers were part of the church.
It was one of the first free events for the community that the church had presented in the wake of the pandemic.
This year’s event focused around a large helicopter from the Lake County Sheriff ’s Department Aviation Unit, which landed on the lawn next to the festival. There also were drones capturing the festival.
“We just love this event,” said Abigail Huizenga.
“It’s our outreach to the community,” said Pastor Fred De Jong who also was the main subject of a lively dunk tank.
“We hope to show the community what we want to be.”
Some in the crowd came because of the church, but others came for the fun.
“I came here because I was interested in the church,” said Ryan Hiskes.
Hiskes has been helping out at the family events for the past 13 years.
A variety of area businesses and friends supported the event.
Huizenga’s son Carter was busy blowing bubbles and building things. Clark Calebowski, 3, loved sitting in the driver’s seat of an ambulance.
As the event wound down and people got their last free slushie, it was clear that a good time was had by many.
“I love seeing all the new people,” said Shannon Martin, 24.