After reaching 5,000 people over two summers of Friday Family Nights at Washington Sports Club, New Life Christian Church still wanted to offer activities for families. But the sports club left the area and, at the same time, the church decided not to hold its annual fall carnival.
"Instead, when we learned that Centreville Day needed help [finding a sponsor for the children's events], we said we'd do it," said New Life executive minister Todd Wilson. "But we didn't just want to write a check; we also wanted to help run the activities. It's something we've always done for the community, and it's a huge win for everyone."
New Life contributed $7,000 toward Centreville Day's youth entertainment and spent $3,000 promoting the events. And several hundred church members will man them, set them up and tear them down. And together, the church and Oliver Entertainment (supplying the inflatable items) are bringing games, contests and other activities to Old Centreville Crossing Shopping Center during Centreville Day.
Events on the half-hour are for middle and high-school students, and events on the hour are for elementary-school and younger children.
Here's the schedule:
* 1 p.m., limbo contest;
* 1:30 p.m., pie-eating contest;
* 2 p.m., Hawaiian hula hoop;
* 2:30 p.m., watermelon-eating contest;
* 3 p.m., watermelon-eating (different ages compete);
* 3:30 p.m., water-balloon launch;
* 4 p.m., weird water relay; and
* 4:30 p.m., wacky sports relay.
There'll also be inflatable slides, three moonbounces, an obstacle course, pony rides, face painting and games such as speed pitch, soccer kick, football toss and hockey. Clowns, costumed characters such as Elmo and Scooby Do, plus sports-team mascots, will also appear. And thanks to New Life Christian Church, it's all free.
<tgl> — Bonnie Hobbs