Community

Morgantown celebrates 32 years of Kids Day

MORGANTOWN –Kids Day made its way back to downtown Morgantown Saturday. This year marks the 32nd year of the event. Though met with sweltering temperatures, kids could cool off with a snow cone or play in cold water provided by a Morgantown Fire Department fire truck. Face painting, free popcorn and candy were part of the day’s offerings.


Morgantown Pride offered crafts, Starport Arcade brought out arcade games and USA Martial Arts of Morgantown demonstrated martial arts for the children. Photo opportunities with cartoon characters such as Clifford the Big Red Dog were also on the agenda.


Milena Novotny, Community Involvement and Growth Coordinator with MedExpress said MedExpress loves working with like-minded organizations within the community.


“As a community partner, we do care about the health and wellness of the community as does everybody else that’s here, so this is the ideal place for us,” she said.


Novotny said MedExpress loves the family fun aspect of Kids Day and loves that everyone comes out and gets involved and gives back to the community.


“That’s exactly what we’re about,” she said.


MedExpress works with the host organization Main Street Morgantown in the planning of the large scale block party.


“We partner with Main Street Morgantown to make this happen. Also a like-minded organization that cares about the health and wellness of the Morgantown people,” she said.


Novotny said it’s her first year at the Kids Fair, but MedExpress has partnered with Main Street Morgantown for years in putting on the activities, and will continue to do so.


“As long as MedExpress is here and as long as Kids Day is here we’d like to continue to be a part of it,” she said.


Barbara Watkins, Main Street Morgantown Executive Directors said the turnout was still large, even in the summer heat. She said there was around 70 non-profits and for profits doing activities. She said every year CMA Church of Morgantown hands out snow cones, and the numbers didn’t dwindle.


“They still gave out 1,000 snow cones. I thought the amount would be down cause it was so hot out,” she said.


The event has grown over the years, stretching to Wiley Street and up into the Courthouse Square. As always, as one Kids Day ends, Watkins is always thinking of next year’s event. She said was taking notes early Saturday morning while she was getting ready for the big day.


Watkins thanked MedExpress, the volunteers, attendees, businesses and non-profits that came out for Kids Day – especially in the heat.