Kids Day America hits Butler Farm Show ground May 11
This Saturday, May 11, the Butler Farm Show grounds will welcome children from around Butler County for the 24th annual Kids Day America event.
Although Kids Day America — as its name implies — is a national event celebrated all over the country, Butler’s event was first held in 1999 and founded by local chiropractor Stuart Surkosky of Care Chiropractic Center.
“Originally, it was created to assist children with spinal and structural anomalies,” Surkosky said.
At first, it was held at a Honda dealership before moving to Surkosky’s office.
“It grew so much that it had to be moved to the farm show,” Surkosky said.
Each year, the proceeds from Kids Day America benefit a local nonprofit organization. This year, that organization is the Isaiah 117 House, which opened in Butler last summer. The Isaiah 117 House is dedicated to improving the experience of foster children who are awaiting placement.
Surkosky said he was introduced to the Isaiah 117 House through a mutual friend.
Last year, the beneficiary of Butler’s Kids Day America event was the Butler YMCA. Other beneficiaries of the event over the years include the Butler Catholic School, Butler Blind Association, Autism Society of Butler County and Butler County Alliance for Children.
Among the returning events at this year’s Kids Day America are the popular Cow Patty Bingo and Cruza for Kids. Cow Patty Bingo is a game where raffle ticket holders can win prizes depending on where cows — or “happy heifers,” as they’re called — do their “business” on a massive grid of 500 squares.
“You have a chance to win $100, $250, or $1,000, depending on where our ‘happy heifers’ deposit on the grid,” Surkosky said.
Serving as judges for this year’s Cow Patty Bingo are Butler Mayor Bob Dandoy, Butler County Commissioner Leslie Osche and Keith Graham, vice president of marketing for the Butler Eagle.
The Cruza for Kids is a car cruise judged by children, with the winner receiving a trophy for the car the children pick as the best-looking.
“The children just judge whatever they think their favorite car is in the car cruise,” Surkosky said.
A new feature this year at this year’s event is the Farm to Families Immersion Lab, a traveling interactive classroom from Pennsylvania Families of Agriculture. This exhibit is intended to teach children how food gets from the farm to the dinner table.
“This is the first time we've ever had it, and it's very difficult to acquire it,” Surkosky said.
Kids Day America starts at the Butler Farm Show ground at 11 a.m. and lasts until 3 p.m., with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10:45 a.m. Admission and parking are both free.
