Saturday's Kids Fest Features Games, Free Concert

The second annual Back-to-School Kids Fest is this weekend. 

Last year, more than 2 truckloads of items were collected in an event that proved to be not just a fundraiser, but all kinds of fun for the family.

Sponsored by the and headed by club vice president Kyle Maurer, the three-hour Kids Event returns to Weiss Field on Saturday, Aug. 4 from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. It has all the makings of an outdoor party, down to the bar-b-que, bounce houses, fun, water balloon toss and games. The all-girl band G-Force will again headline. The event is suitable for children 2-10 years old.

The event is open to the public, and families from Avon, Avon Lake and surrounding communities are welcome.

The event combines good old-fashioned fun with helping Avon and Avon Lake students heading back to school, through CRS. The Kiwanis Club is requesting those attending bring a school supply, which will be passed out to families in Avon and Avon Lake though Monetary donations are also accepted.

“Last year we raised supplies valued at just over $2,500,” Maurer said. “This year, with increased exposure and multiple avenues to collect supplies; we hope to double that amount.”

The event features games, activities, crafts, relays, a concert and more. Lunch is included, along with special prize giveaways too, like a chance to win Lake Erie Crushers merchandise and tickets.

Admission is a donation of school supplies, which will be passed out to families in Avon and Avon Lake. Guests are encouraged to bring supplies of their choice.

“This year we will not only have more games and activities during the event, but we will also have more opportunities to collect and gather supplies,” Maurer said. “For instance, the Lake Erie Crushers have agreed to offer discounted admission to those who bring school supplies to a game on Aug. 16."

Maurer said the idea was the “collective genius” of several Kiwanians.

“We wanted to combine a back-to-school drive with an affordable event centered on children,” he said. “We understood that there was a need within our community to gather these supplies, but we also wanted to make sure that we incorporated some fun.”

The event has the backing of numerous local companies including CRS, the Church of the Open Door and the Avon Lake Early Childhood PTA.

While the event is fun based, the cause is critical.

“School supply requests rank 3 out of the 14 most commonly requested services from CRS. We wanted to make sure that each child in our community has access to the school supplies that he or she needs.

The following supplies are in particularly high demand:

• USB flash drives              
• Crayons – 24 count
•  #2 lead pencils
• Ink Pens – Black, blue & red
• Colored pencils _
• Ziploc bags – Gallon & quart
• Glue Sticks
• Dry erase black makers and erasers
• Wide Ruled Notebooks
• Wide Ruled Notebook Paper
• 1 Inch Binders
• Index Cards – Plain & ruled
• Kleenex
• Pencil Cases

 The event runs from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Be sure to check out Maurer’s video on this year’s event.

Weiss Field Park is located on Webber Road between SR 83 and Moore Road in Avon Lake.