Butler County Sheriff Mike Slupe speaks with children present at a previous Kids Day America event at the Butler Farm Show Grounds. SUBMITTED PHOTO

One of the largest, if not the biggest, bingo games in Butler County will take place May 14, where 500 people will be vying for the first prize of $1,000.

Kids Day America is returning to the Butler Farm Show grounds, 625 Evans City Road, this year, and its signature Cow Patty Bingo also is coming back as the main moneymaker for the event to fundraise for Butler Catholic School.

Kids Day America has not taken place in person since 2019, and Stuart Surkosky, a Butler chiropractor and the event’s organizational sponsor, said he hopes to see children experience summer activity at the community-centered shindig — its 22nd.

“We want to see them reacclimated to social events,” Surkosky said. “Hopefully the children get out since Cow Patty Bingo is making a return.”

The free event takes place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the farm show grounds, and will feature a car show, a petting zoo and first responders bringing their vehicles to educate children from kindergarten to eighth grade. There also will be free dental and scoliosis screenings offered.

Surkosky said tickets to Cow Patty Bingo, the only paid activity at the event, are almost sold out, but people can call his office at 724-789-9797 to check availability.

The theme of this year’s event is “kids, cars and cows,” said Amy Birckbichler, one of Kids Day America’s coordinators. The Cruza for Kids is the event’s other signature aspect, which is a car show where children vote for their favorite vehicle.

According to Birckbichler, normally the most colorful or “wildest” vehicles tend to be favorite among the children.

“One year a hearse won,” Birckbichler said.

Surkosky said the fundraising aspect for Butler Catholic School is important to Kids Day America, and the organizers always choose a nonprofit that helps children to be the event’s benefactor.

“You really want kids to be out and experiencing it, and the farm show is the best venue because kids don't get that experience enough anymore,” Surkosky said. “Seeing the children smile again and getting out to experience the event itself is an opportunity.”

Surkosky said the longevity of Kids Day America is thanks to a core group of people who have helped plan it since its inception 22 years ago.

Birckbichler said she heard a comment recently that put the impact of Kids Day into perspective.

“We heard this year people say ‘I went to Kids Day, and now I'm bringing my own kids,’” Birchbichler said.

Registration for the Cruza takes place from 8:30 to 11 a.m. the day of the event. Cow Patty Bingo takes place from 2 to 3 p.m. May 14.