For children in Bridgeport and beyond, it’s become one of the most popular days of the year. This year, things shouldn’t be any different as the City of Bridgeport will once again be hosting Kids Day at Bridgeport City Park.

 

The fourth annual event, which is free to all who attend, will take place Wednesday (June 1) from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Organizers originally scheduled the event for May 17, but it was pushed back due to inclement weather.

 

The good news beyond the popularity for the children and the fact that it’s free is that it meets more than the objective of having a fun event. It’s also about safety and healthy choices.

 

As has been the case in the first three events, the mission is to cultivate a combination of educational and enjoyable opportunities with parents and their children that focus on safe decisions and healthy ones in their every day events. Along with that, the presence of Bridgeport’s emergency responders is done so that children, and even adults, can develop a trust with those individuals in the event they need information or need assistance. This event makes those goals achievable through several fun methods.

 

“It’s been a success because it combines everything in a fun manner,” said City Clerk Andrea Kerr. “There are giveaways, and bounce houses and the helicopters and even the city’s apparatus there where kids can sit on the fire trucks and the police motorcycle. Those are big draws.

 

While those features are once again included, the FBI will be there fingerprinting children. The FBI fingerprinting was one of the reasons Kids Day was created, said Kerr.

 

“We wanted to work in conjunction with the FBI to get every kid in Bridgeport fingerprinted,” said Kerr. “This is precautionary in the case any child would go missing or something would come up and we would have their fingerprints on file.”

 

So along with those items already mentioned, what else is in store? A photo booth, games, a mudtruck, SIDNE (the police’s go-kart that simulate the dangers of driving intoxicated), fire extinguisher training, driving impaired goggles, face painting, crafts from Home Depot, a petting zoo, a caricaturist, a balloon maker along with slushies and Buffalo Wild Wings – and likely more – will all be in attendance.

 

Several local businesses will also be involved. Many businesses will have information available that can help with a healthy lifestyle.

 

The event isn’t limited to Bridgeport residents. Kerr said Kids Day has gotten bigger each year.

 

“Last year we counted well over 1,000 people, including children and adults, at the event,” said Kerr. “It was about half kids and half adults so if you have 500 kids in attendance you have a good turnout. We’re expecting another large crowd this year and invite everyone to attend.”

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows Chief Phil Hart working with a youngster at last year's Kids Day, while individuals gather around the bounce house for some fun at City Park. Photos by www.benqueenphotography.com.