Indian Head hosts second annual ‘Big Day of Play’
Day-long event features games, music, dance, food on the village green
The weather on Saturday couldn’t have been better for a day of fun and games on the Indian Head village green. Sponsored by the Town of Indian Head Department of Parks & Recreation, the second annual Big Day of Play featured plenty of activities for the young and the young at heart.
Cynthia Jackson, chair of Indian Head’s Parks & Recreation Commission, said participants could choose from a wide variety of events ranging from threelegged and potato-sack races to football and dodge ball, or they could make up
their own games with the other sports equipment on hand.
“It’s all about just coming out and playing,” said Jackson, who brainstormed the idea last year as a way to get families outside on the weekend. “You name it, we want to play it.”
Scheduled events included a demonstration by a K-9 team from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office featuring Max and his handler officer Larry Blake, a dance recital by the Indian Head Dance Company, and praise music by the New Life Christian Ministries International of Indian Head.
Participants in the regular Saturday morning flea market were invited to set up their tables at the event as well. The market runs from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays from May through October.
Free hot dogs, potato chips and sodas were available throughout the day.
Abby Brown, Rhea Pahadee, and sisters Marshauna and Mashayla Jackson, all members of the Indian Head Dance Company, treated participants to a recital in the pavilion on the green.
Megan Hill, the company’s co-manager and instructor, said the company has been growing. “We have around 25 students now, and there’s a prospect of having 45 to 47,” she said. The company offers 15 classes, each with two different types of dance for students to learn.
“We do the holiday performance here for the tree lighting ceremony, and we do nursing home performances in December and June,” Hill said. “Whatever event the Town of Indian Head is holding, the kids are there, either performing or volunteering at a booth or in other ways.”
The dance company is a nonprofit community-based studio operated by the Indian Head Department of Parks and Recreation.
Councilman Curtis Smith was busy throughout the day helping to organize events as well as to talk with parents and kids who stopped by to play.
“In the town, we try to put on activities to get the residents out,” Smith said. “We will continue to endeavor to offer activities like this year-round for our residents to enjoy.”