Kids Day America packed despite weather
BUTLER TWP — The wet, chilly breeze and steady drizzle did nothing to dampen enthusiasm for the annual Kids Day America, which was held at the Butler Farm Show Grounds on Saturday, May 11.
The 24th annual event saw hundreds pack into the two huge barns near the Farm Show pond to participate in the games and activities available at the wide variety of booths and tables set up inside.
Balloon animals, face painting, hair chalk, video fishing, Matchbox car racing, three long tables of raffle baskets, a puppet show, miniature train display and other activities were available to the smiling families that milled around in the barns.
Food also was available, and parents could be seen balancing flat boxes with hot dogs, fruit and pizza on their way to a seating area on one end of a barn.
Children filled out a passport by collecting stickers from six booths. A completed passport enters each holder into a drawing for a grand prize of a new bicycle.
Outside, Disney princesses giggled with boys and girls and musicians played under the protection of a tent roof.
Those braving the weather also could climb around in firetrucks and other emergency service vehicles from Butler Township Fire District, Connoquenessing Volunteer Fire Company, Butler VA Fire and Emergency Services, Butler Ambulance and the Butler County tactical vehicle.
“We want kids to understand we are here to help them, and not to be afraid of us,” said Jamie Senopole, 2nd captain at Butler Township Fire District. “We’re also teaching kids about fire safety.”
All proceeds from Kids Day America this year will benefit Isaiah 117 House, which is dedicated to improving the experience of foster children who are awaiting placement.
The Isaiah 117 House in Butler is the first one in Pennsylvania.
“We feel honored they are choosing us as recipients this year,” said Debi Giocondo, care coordinator at Isaiah 117 House. “We are in the process of remodeling a home and will use the funding for that as well as in our budget.”
Chiropractor Stuart Surkosky learned about the nationwide Kids Day America 25 years ago from his friend Jenly Birch, and held the first event 24 years ago at a Honda dealership.
“Next year will be our 25th anniversary,” Surkosky said.
He said the event is dedicated to environmental safety and health awareness. In addition to filling up their passports, children play games, do activities or get information from each nonprofit organization set up at Kids Day.
Surkosky said the inclement weather made little difference to attendance because 90% of the event is held in the barns.
He said up to 3,000 people have attended Kids Day America in the past.
“The Butler community takes children and their well-being very seriously,” he said.
Surkosky said last year, $26,000 was raised for the Butler YMCA, which was chosen as the 2023 recipient of Kids Day America proceeds.
He is thrilled Isaiah 117 House will be the recipient this year.
“Because they deal with children and they are a nonprofit and especially since they are the first one in Pennsylvania, the (Kids Day America) board decided to choose them as the recipient,” Surkosky said.
He also expressed deep appreciation for the event’s sponsors and volunteers.
Kasandra Perry, of Oakland Township, brought her daughters, Alexandra, 9, and Laney, 8, to the event in their rain jackets.
“They love to interact with all the different events that are here,” Perry said.
Alexandra’s favorite facet of Kids Day was the face painting and bear skin at the Specialty Outdoors booth.
Laney’s favorites from last year’s Kids Day were the planters the girls made at a scouting booth and the bounce house.
Sgt. Eric McLafferty, of the county Sheriff’s Office allowed kids to hold a riot shield and ballistic shield and wear one of three or four helmets at his table.
“It’s great to get out in the community and interact with kids and be a positive influence,” McLafferty said.
He also offered booklets on several subjects, like human trafficking, stranger danger, drug abuse and identification theft, which parents could be seen picking up.
Bill and Amanda Gibson, of Butler Township, brought their daughters, Sophia, 8, and Emily, 6.
Amanda planned to volunteer at a Girl Scout table, while Sophia looked forward to serving as a puppeteer in the puppet show.
The Gibsons live next door to the Farm Show grounds, so they have attended Kids Day America for many years.
“It gets kids involved in the community and allows parents to find resources to keep the kids off the street and busy,” Amanda said of the event.
Samantha Moury, of Mercer Township, also brought her young daughters to Kids Day America.
“We come every year,” she said. “The girls have so much fun and it’s nice to get out of the house.”
Moury said her family won one of the bicycles a few years ago.
“I like seeing the animals and playing the video fishing game,” said her daughter, Sabrina Thornbury, 7, “and the tattoos.”
Olivia Thornbury, 5, who won a plush bear on Saturday, quickly named her favorite part of Kids Day.
“Eating,” she said.
