The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Kids Day event offers family-fun
Lake County Fair brings entertainment, education together
The Lake County Fair was all about kids on July 26.
“Kids Day,” presented by Lake County Job and Family Services, featured free admission for those under 18, all-day wristbands for rides and numerous free activities.
Jim Slansky, who serves on the Junior Fair Board committee, said Kids Day is just an opportunity to make youths happy with simple things like complimentary popsicles, games and prizes.
Several organizations presented crafts for kids and information for parents. For instance, Lake County Outreach Coordinator Cathy Zeller oversaw an art project, while discussing the resources offered by Starting Point, which is Northeast Ohio’s child care, early education and out-of school time resource and referral agency.
“We help parents find childcare and offer training to centers,” she said.
Kids Day at the fair was as educational as it was entertaining.
“We come every year. There’s always so many fun things to do. This is the first time the girls did the fun house and they loved it.” — Perry resident April Lombardo
Lubrizol sponsored COSI, a science center in Columbus, that offers mobile hands-on science stations.
The stations contained activities for kids of all ages including equilateral triangles and magnetic structures. About a dozen Lubrizol employees also volunteered to assist kids with the exhibits.
“Lubrizol’s goal is to promote STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) in children and it sponsors a science center at the fair every year,” said Deah Chapin, who is a chemist at the company.
Lake Metroparks continued the fun and learning with farm animals, a wildlife presentation and free barrel train rides.
Perry resident April Lombardo, who brought her four daughters to the fair, said they were having a great time.
“We come every year,” Lombardo said. “There’s always so many fun things to do. This is the first time the girls did the fun house and they loved it.”
The walk-through fun house contained distorted mirrors, spinning rooms, a revolving barrel and optical illusions.
Meanwhile, chainsaw artist Matthew Hannah of Insane Chain returned this year with new wood sculptures and watercolor paintings. Spectators watched Hannah, who was selftaught, create intricate designs.