Station plans Free to Be Kid Day

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SIDNEY — Children of all ages will find fun things to do at the seventh annual Free to Be a Kid Day, Saturday, Aug. 29, at VanDemark Farm, 2401 S. VanDemark Road, from noon to 4 p.m.

Sponsored by 105.5 TAM FM, the day has grown from the local radio station’s initial support of the farm’s Lost Land Corn Maze several years ago.

“We got a free day in the maze,” said 105.5 TAM FM Music Director Joe Laber. Because the station’s staff was small in number, they wondered if they could invite listeners to participate, too.

“We talked to Dwight Moore (who owns VanDemark Farm),” Laber said. “‘What if we took our day and turned it into a day for our listeners’ kids who couldn’t go otherwise?’ we asked.”

Free to Be a Kid Day has grown every year since. More than 1,200 people are expected this week.

Attendees will have free entrance to the corn maze. The farm will supply free hot dogs and water. There will be cotton candy and popcorn, a petting zoo, children’s activities and games, all for free. Hayrides at $2, miniature golf at $3, the giant swing at $6, and the Night Hawk Zipline Adventure at $25 will also be available.

Daren the D.A.R.E. lion, Murphy Mutual from Mutual Federal Savings Bank, Roller Roo from Rolling Hills Skate, Safety Pup and Scarfie, from the Shelby County Aninal Rescue Foundation, will attend.

The Cincinnati Reds mascot, Mr. Red, will make an appearance from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.

The Sidney Fire Department will have a fire engine on display from 1 to 2 p.m.

Several churches, businesses and community groups will be there to distribute information and provide activities. They are as follows:

Sidney Police Department, fingerprinting, DNA collection and bike registrations; Sidney Body Carstar and Troy Carstar, game truck; Altrusa Club of Shelby County, free books; Sidney First United Methodist Church, free cotton candy; Mutual Federal Savings Bank, free popcorn; Rolling Hills Skate, temporary hair paint and tattoos; Shelby County Libraries, tattoos and free beach balls; Sidney-Shelby County YMCA, face painting; and Whistling Goat Music & Arts Festival, duck pond game.

Also attending will be A Learning Place, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Shelby and Darke County, Clear Creek Farm, Shelby County CASA/GAL and Shelby County United Way.

“Dwight allows us to invade his farm for the day,” Laber said. “It’s great to see kids having fun or grandparents having fun with their kids without breaking the bank.”

For information, visit 1055tamfm.com.

Four mascots, left to right, Scarfie, Little Caesar, Mr. Red Socks and the Sidney High School Yellow Jackets mascot party with children on top of straw bales at Free to Be a Kid Day at VanDemark Farm Saturday, September 13. Organizations from around the area had booths at the event kids could visit. The event was organized by Hits 105.5. Luke Gronneberg | Sidney Daily News Children and mascots cavort during Free to Be a Kid Day at Vandemark Farm in 2014. This year’s event will be Saturday.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2015/08/web1_SDN091314KidsDay1.jpgFour mascots, left to right, Scarfie, Little Caesar, Mr. Red Socks and the Sidney High School Yellow Jackets mascot party with children on top of straw bales at Free to Be a Kid Day at VanDemark Farm Saturday, September 13. Organizations from around the area had booths at the event kids could visit. The event was organized by Hits 105.5. Luke Gronneberg | Sidney Daily News Children and mascots cavort during Free to Be a Kid Day at Vandemark Farm in 2014. This year’s event will be Saturday.

By Patricia Ann Speelman

[email protected]

Reach the writer at 937-538-4824. Follow her on Twitter @PASpeelmanSDN.

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