Pottstown High School hosts celebration for kids

POTTSTOWN » Youth is a thing to be celebrated.

Pottstown knows that, which is why the community held its 12th annual Pottstown Celebrates Young Children & Pottstown YMCA Healthy Kids Day on April 21 at Pottstown High School.

Kids could be seen enjoying many festivities including a petting zoo, moon bounce and a plethora of fitness activities aimed at letting kids have fun while they get exercise. Among some of the most popular games were the obstacle course, soccer matches, dance activities and inflatable skee ball. As kids lined up for moon bounces and games and visited with the mascots wandering around the grounds, parents could browse the rows of tables ready with information.

“It’s a great event just for collaboration. Not only are we partnering with the Pottstown YMCA but we’re also partnering with the Pottstown Parks & Rec Department and all these community organizations that are coming out here today. We have about 75 community organizations or businesses out here with giveaways, games, prizes and also information about what their business or organization offers the community,” ” said Michilea Patterson, PEAK Community Engagement Coordinator. “Two of the components of PEAK are health and wellness and family engagement and this event is combining those two things.”

Organizations in attendance included Coventry Mall, Olivet Boys & Girls Club, ACLAMO, Pottstown Family Center, Pottstown FARM, Pottstown Police Athletic League (PAL), 422 SportsPlex, Health Partners Plans, Steel River Playhouse, Montgomery County Intermediate Unit and many more.

Kids and adults had a blast enjoying the weather and taking part in the fun.

“I want to get the dance floor popping,” added Patterson. “That is my goal today. I think it’s always really fun to see the kids when they get really excited with the dancing. We’re going to have some Zumba instructors out here later on doing some dancing and things with the kids so that will be fun to see.”

Anyone interested in PEAK’s services who was unable to attend the family fun doesn’t have to worry about missing out on valuable information. Patterson said the organization holds events throughout the year aimed at providing community services to local families.

“We offer many family engagement opportunities throughout the year such as our Let’s Talk community conversations which are coming up,” Patterson said. “We have two on May 14th and May 22. It’s a free event where we invite families to come out and talk about a different topic each time. This time we’re going to be talking about raising children in the digital world. May 14th is at Franklin and May 22 at Barth. We offer free childcare, free dinner, raffle prizes and the children have entertainment.”

To learn more about PEAK, visit PottstownPEAK.org

MARIAN DENNIS – DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Potato sack races were a popular activity Saturday as families and children attended the Pottstown Celebrates Young Children event.

MARIAN DENNIS – DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Families enjoyed a petting zoo Saturday during the Pottstown Celebrates Young Children event at Pottstown High School. Among some of the animals were a sheep, pony, turkey, rabbits and baby goats.

MARIAN DENNIS – DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Children expressed their artistic side Saturday as they painted a canvas with bright colors during the Pottstown Celebrates Young Children event.

MARIAN DENNIS – DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Obstacle courses and so much more were available to children Saturday at Pottstown High School during the Pottstown Celebrates Young Children event. Pottstown PEAK worked with the Pottstown YMCA and the Parks & Recreation Department to bring fun and...

MARIAN DENNIS – DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Kids took part in a friendly soccer match Saturday during the Pottstown Celebrates Young Children event. Soccer games were just one of the many family-friendly activities Pottstown PEAK had planned.