For Hub City Times

MARSHFIELD — Marshfield’s 16th Annual Children’s Festival will be bigger and better than ever, promises event chair Holly Zopfi. The theme for this year’s festival is “Reach for the Stars.” The event takes place Saturday, April 16, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Marshfield High School. Admission is $2.

At the Children’s Festival, Marshfield Clinic Healthy Lifestyles – Marshfield Area Coalition will be having a Bike Rodeo to teach safety and rules of the road. Children in grades kindergarten through six can bring their bicycles for a safety inspection. The inspections will include checking the tires, brakes, helmet, chain, and frame to ensure they are working properly. Children will then have a chance to ride their bicycles through a short course to apply the rules they have learned.

Another popular activity is provided by members of the Central Wisconsin Home Builders Association (CWHBA). Volunteers from the CWHBA will help children make a toy out of wood. In the past children have made wagons, doll beds, airplanes, and trucks.

“Each year the CWHBA changes it a little bit. They usually have three different kits made up, and the children can choose one,” said Jennifer Fredrick, School District of Marshfield career and technical education coordinator. The building projects are provided at no extra charge to the children attending the festival. All materials are donated by the CWHBA.

The Marshfield Clinic Teddy Bear Clinic helps children learn about a medical examination in a nonthreatening environment.

“Marshfield Clinic donates 300 teddy bears. They’re gone within a couple of hours, so we encourage children to bring their own teddy bear for the clinic,” said Jane Wagner, a Marshfield Children’s Festival volunteer. The teddy bears get a pretend check-up, so the children will know what happens when they go to a doctor.

A special play area will feature inflatables and games from H2 Extreme Party Rentals. Performances by Main Street Conservatory of Dance, Melody Gardens Restaurant and Skateland, Reis Martial Arts Academy, M and M Team, Marshfield Clinic Healthy Lifestyles – Marshfield Area Coalition, and PIER are also scheduled throughout the event.

Over 50 booths will showcase educational information related to children and families.

The Marshfield High School Careers with Kids students and their teacher, RaeAnn Leonhardt, will invite participants to join in children’s games and activities. A concession stand will be hosted by Carla MacArthur and students in family and consumer sciences classes. “Families can really plan to spend the entire time at the festival. They can play and have lunch and then play some more,” said MacArthur. The students sell nutritious foods such as string cheese and apple slices.

The Children’s Festival supports the Marshfield Human Services Academy, a program of Marshfield High School, located within the Tiny Tiger Intergenerational Center, which also houses Tiny Tiger-Child Care Centers of Marshfield and Companion Day Services for senior adults. The mission of the Human Services Academy is to create a lasting bond between generations by educating youth in an innovative, intergenerational learning environment. In the academy students learn about lifespan development, careers in human services, community agencies, and have the opportunity to interact with people of all ages.

“All proceeds pay rent in Tiny Tiger for the Human Services Academy classroom,” said Fredrick.

If you have questions or would like to get involved with the Children’s Festival, please call Jennifer Fredrick at 715-387-8464, ext. 4376.