A summer family favourite since 2004, Fun in the Sun is back again on Friday mornings at Willingdon Beach with crafts, games, stories, snacks and, most importantly, fun.
Presented by Family Place, a family centre in Town Centre Mall run by Powell River Employment Program Society, the free, weekly event running July through August is a “self-guided” activity fair for young children and their families, says program facilitator Bethany Browne.
“Families get a chance to meet and play with other families, and there’s a really festive, community feel to it,” says Browne. “Fun in the Sun has enough structure so that everyone has something to do, but it’s also open and laid back enough that you can just go there and relax; so it’s a good balance.”
Every Friday morning has a different theme and the events focus on literacy in cooperation with Literacy Outreach Powell River. Members of the literacy organization read books to children at the beach and provide free books to those who attend.
“A lot of community groups and organizations partner with us to make this program a success,” says Browne. “The Powell River Public Library will have a mobile checkout and special guests from the Tla’amin Nation and Powell River Fire Department will join us for some activities.”
Running until late August, different themes for this year’s event include Get Active on July 22, Superheroes Assemble on July 29, Pirates Ahoy on August 5, Fire Safety on August 12, Outer Space on August 19 and Amazing Animals on August 26.
The project is administered by Family Place summer intern students with support from regular staff and usually draws way more people than can fit in the centre’s mall location, according to Browne.
“It always feels like a fair or a festival. It’s my highlight of the summer, actually, and for my kids, too,” says Browne, who has two children, aged two and six. “They always want to come down there with me, whether I’m working at it or not.”
Fun in the Sun
WHEN: Starting Friday, July 22, 10:30 am-12 pm
WHERE: Willingdon Beach
PRICE: Free
INFO: 604.485.2706, familyplace@prepsociety.org.
