Extra help needed
Staff writer
Chingawassa Days participants can expect to see changes to the festival’s schedule of events in June, although many of the changes depend on if the Chingawassa Committee can find more volunteers to help operate festival affairs.
“We already have a lot of activities for adults but we are trying to expand events to include more things for kids,” committee member Tamey Ensey said. “What we are hoping is that there are individuals, organizations and sponsors that will step up and help make the expansion possible.”
One big change the committee would like to make is to temporarily remove the bed race and replace it with a bicycle race/decoration contest and parade.
The committee would also like to add a youth focused area that would include carnival type games such as a cakewalk, fishing for prizes, and a ring or basketball toss. A face painting and stick-on tattoo booth would also be part of the area. The additions of Plinko and a dunk tank also have been discussed.
Other ideas include a Friday and Saturday treasure hunt for children, Ensey said, participants would be given a list of items to collect in the park and downtown area and after they find and turn those items in, they would be issued various prizes.
“We’re trying to make it fun for attendees and volunteers,” Ensey said. “We don’t volunteers tied to a booth for the whole event. We are hoping to sign up people for 30 to 60 minute increments.”
She said the committee is also hoping that community organizations and sponsors will help operate various events and cover the related costs for those things like prizes associated with their event of choice.
“Another possibility we have talked about for the older kids is setting up an Airsoft course,” Ensey said. “We’re still sorting it out and we’re not sure if it would be a team competition or a course people just run through, but I know it is a big thing around here.”
Other events that might have appeal to teen participants are a dodge-ball tournament and water balloon volleyball.
“We’re never done the water balloon volleyball before,” Ensey said. “In it, teams use a sheet to catch and throw water balloons over the net.”
Among all possibilities, Ensey said certainties that patrons can look forward to are a Halo video game tournament, a beer garden, and karaoke for children and adults, as well as a team volleyball tournament for adults in which the committee hopes to award cash prizes to the top three winners.
“I know we have done volleyball in years past,” Ensey said. “This year it will be six person teams and participants will need to register as a team.”
Ensey said that there will be no petting zoo this year but the inflatable castles and play areas will return. A horseshoe will also remain on the schedule.
To volunteer, call Ensey at (316) 253-3922 or e-mail chingawassamarion@gmail.com.