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for Ukiah Daily Journal
It didn’t have to be Summer Solstice for Ukiah area families to know summer was here. On Saturday, moms, dads, grandparents and kids gathered at Vinewood Park to enjoy what is now a Ukiah tradition – Family Fun in the Sun days, scheduled at various parks throughout the summer season.
“This is a great, free, family-centered event,” says Tania Segura, director of the City of Ukiah’s Summer Safari Day Camp. Camp counselors were on hand to help bring the fun to well over 100 kids who visited the park throughout the morning. First Five provided a “make your own fruit kabob” station, and kids spent their time traveling between the bounce house, playground, rainbow parachute and arts and crafts area.
“Our family is just loving day camp and having fun in the park,” notes parent Tarney Sheldon. “The staff is so organized and personable. It’s unfortunate that more people don’t know about the great things that Ukiah does,” echoes parent Sandy Barekman.
Meanwhile, camp counselor “Big” organized a group of kids and parents around the nylon parachute, while kids ran underneath, kicking soccer balls and having a few moments of iconic family fun.
The Summer Safari Day Camp is scheduled until Aug. 16. Themes for each week include “Surfin’ Summer Safari,” Music Madness, Fun with Food, “Spirit” and “Go Green.” Campers will have opportunities for field trips including pizza outings and movie trips, as well as the favorite Parents Night Out event
and daily crafts, games, swimming and sporting activities. Financial assistance is available through North Coast Opportunities.
The next Fun in the Sun events will occur July 20 at Oak Manor Park and Aug. 10 at Orchard Park. Each free event will take place from 9:30 to noon and will feature constant supervised activities including arts and crafts, team-work games, a bounce house, balloons, healthy snacks and beverages and other activities.
This year’s annual Fourth of July Picnic in the Park will take place on Sunday, June 30 at Todd Grove Park from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. There will be live entertainment, organized games, bounce houses, a free swim at the Ukiah Municipal Pools, contests, races, a community participation mural, and food and craft vendors.
The City’s Moonlight Movie Madness series descended upon Alex Thomas Plaza last weekend and will continue through the summer. The upcoming schedule is listed below:
July 5: “The Sandlot,” PG, 101 minutes, 8:42 p.m.
July 19: “Brave,” PG, 100 minutes, 8:36 p.m.
Aug. 2: “Big Miracle,” PG, 114 minutes, 8:24 p.m.
Aug. 16, “Here Comes the Boom,” PG, 105 minutes, 8:08 p.m.
Aug. 30, “Oz The Great and Powerful,” PG, 130 minutes, 7:48 p.m.
For more information visit http://www.cityofukiah.com/pageserver/?page=annual_events or phone (707) 463-6231.