Upper photo: Logan Baeza gave a sharky smile at the Monsoon Puppet Parade booth at Red Hot Children's Fiesta.
Lower photo: Adayn Madrid holds a book she received from the Imagination Library at the Red Hot Children's Fiesta.
Silver City, New Mexico, September 21, 2014: This Saturday (September 26, 2015), animals and adventure awaits Grant County kids at the Red Hot Children's Fiesta from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be over 30 adventure-inspired activities, and every participating child receives a prize as the Fiesta returns to the Community Built-Penny Park, 1305 N. Grant St.
Chris DeBolt, Director of Gila Regional's Community Health Partnerships (CHP), says, "The Children's Fiesta is a wonderful event for families and children; it's always great to give families the opportunity to play and learn together." The Fiesta is coordinated by the Grant County Community Health Council and CHP.
This year children can marvel at a golden eagle with falconer James Rogers, enjoy face-painting with the Silver High Key Club, create sand art necklaces with LifeQuest Early Intervention, pick out a book with Literacy Link Leamos, and partake of many more activities sponsored by the 30 participating agencies. Children can also help plant the Neighborhood Orchard to be located in the 4-H butterfly garden in the park.
CHP and Fiesta Coordinator, Kendra Milligan says, "The Children's Fiesta has so much going on; it's a great time for families and service providers meet up and get to know each other. Over 30 organizations and service providers have banded together to ensure the fiesta continues to be a success."
The Red Hot Children's Fiesta is the largest children's resource fair in southwestern New Mexico. The Fiesta was begun 14 years ago by LifeQuest Early Intervention as a way to locate children in need of developmental services. The Fiesta soon morphed into a community child development fair and grew too large for one agency to effectively coordinate.
"Rather than see the event lost, the Health Council stepped in with a team of dedicated community members to see the Fiesta continues on," says Milligan.
Every child who participates on Saturday gets to choose from a variety of animal-themed prizes and will be entered in the raffle for a $50 gift certificate.
Please no dogs in the park during the Fiesta as small children will be in attendance. Also, be aware that the portion of Grant St. in front of Penny Park will be closed off for the safety of attendees.
To learn more about the Red Hot Children's Fiesta call the Health Council at 388-1198 ext. 10 or email healthcouncil@grmc.org.