Family Day this Saturday

By Kevin Pearcey

Free hot dogs, free Pepsi, free games.

More importantly, free fun.

Saturday, April 9, is Crenshaw County Family Day sponsored by the Luverne Rotary Club. From noon to 3 p.m., Luverne's E.L. Turner Park will be alive with activity as children and their parents come together for a day of springtime fun.

Steve Sanders, the event coordinator for the Rotary Club, said the day was originally started by the county extension office as a way to promote National Child Abuse Prevention Month. The Rotarians took over sponsorship of the event three year's ago.

"It's really a day to promote family throughout Crenshaw County," said Sanders. "We usually average between 1300 and 1400 people at the park."

It's also a chance for parents to relax a bit, said Sanders, and have fun with their children. There will be games, 4-wheeler and train rides, horse riding, an obstacle course and live music.

There will also be face painting.

"The kids run crazy and love to get their face painted," laughed Sanders. "And the momma's hate it because the kids get paint all over them. But the best part about this event is it's free and a majority of what's offered is really geared toward getting adults and children to have fun together."

Additionally, Family Day will educate said Sanders. Various city and county departments will be represented with booths. Among others, the Luverne Fire Department will be on hand to educate the public about fire safety, while the Luverne police department will discuss drug prevention.

As keepsakes of the event, free family portraits will be made available and door prizes will be given out.