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More than 500 people attended KidsFest, an annual event sponsored by Smart Start of Davie County at the Davie Community Park.

Attendees came from Davie, Davidson, Forsyth, Iredell, Yadkin, Randolph and Rowan counties.

The event was a huge success despite the morning starting with tornado warnings, hail and a torrential downpour, said Allison Gupton,  SmartStart’s community relations and education coordinator.

“Kids and families brought the sunshine inside with their excitement as they explored together as a family,” she said.  The morning consisted of performances, activities provided by child serving agencies, games, and more.

Agencies represented included:  Cedar Grove Baptist Church, Cognition Davie, Davie County Public Library, Davie County Health Department (WIC, CC4C, Child Health Clinic), Davie County 911 Communications, Davie County EMS, Davie County Sheriff’s Office, Davie Center for Violence Prevention, Davie Family YMCA, DHSS: NC Div. Vocational Rehabilitation, The Dragonfly House CAC, Insight Human Services, Kiwanis, Mocksville Fire Department, Novant Health (Davie Medical Associates, Hillsdale Medical Associates, Heart and Vascular Institute), Partners Health Management, Prevent Blindness North Carolina, Skyline, Southern Family Medicine, Triad Kids Dental and YVEDDI Head Start.

Each agency had a game or craft for families to participate in. Kids colored and created, spun prize wheels, used their imagination to pretend to be sheriff officers, firefighters and more.

There was an obstacle course, cardboard city, vision screenings, face painting, and the highly anticipated smoothie bike.

“A huge thank you to all the volunteers who helped with the event including Davie County High School students, Davie County Early College students, Rotary Club of Mocksville, Kiwanis, Novant, Smart Start of Davie County Board and Committee Members, family members and agency friends,” said Gena Taylor, Smart Start’s executive director.

Following the theme of Earth Day: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle, there were some new additions including the Davie High School CTE War Eagle Can Trailer and a shred event hosted by Davie Senior Services.

Families watched performances by Krysta Gary/Zumba, Magician Ryan Short, Davie County Senior Center’s Boogie Brigade, and Mid-Eastern Martial Arts.  Mobile Jukebox kept the energy going with DJ services and families treated themselves to Sunset Slush and dined for lunch with the Mocksville Masonic Lodge who sold items with proceeds benefiting the Oxford Home for Children.

Upon checking in, families received a goody bag filled with resources and activities to enjoy at home.

Stay tuned to the Smart Start website and social media pages for more information about upcoming events.

For more information about early education programs, contact 336-751-2113 or info@daviesmartstart.org or visit www.daviesmartstart.org.