Children's Week has festival for families

While one of Essie Hall's daughters strutted down Reynolds Street, her other daughter watched the parade go by through Chuck E. Cheese purple-colored sunglasses.

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Attending the Children's Week parade has been a family tradition for years, though Ms. Hall and 4-year-old Corniece usually walk the route.

This time they sat it out, opting to watch 12-year-old Lasina's step team, Teens in Action With Goals, not to mention a handful of high school marching bands, a championship double Dutch jump-rope squad and even clowns from A Child's World day care center.

"It gives the kids something to look forward to," she said of the annual week for children. "I think it's great that they promote a drug-free activity."

The Children's Week kickoff was held Friday, and the festivities run until Wednesday.

Throughout Sunday afternoon, the annual Family Festival and Education Fair served as a bookend to the well-attended parade, which stretched five blocks along Reynolds and Broad streets.

In addition to performances on the makeshift stage at Riverwalk Augusta's Eighth Street Bulkhead, mascots Sting from the Augusta GreenJackets, Augusta State University's Jaguar and Famous Dave's Wilbur provided greetings and entertainment.

"The kids like the characters," said Jack Sisson, of Thru His Eyes Entertainment, which provides the mascots. "These groups wanted to be involved in the events, so bringing in their mascots was a good way to do it."

Families also visited booths during the fair. Youngsters had stickers and markers at their disposal to decorate sunglasses below a sign reading "Our Future's So Bright We Gotta Wear Shades," from Serenity Behavioral Systems.

Participants also decorated paper scarecrows and tossed beanbags in hopes of winning candy, care of Evans High School's Family, Career and Community Leaders of America.

Evans High teacher Gail Sims, one of two club sponsors, said the 149 members have taken family consumer science courses and are interested in volunteer work.

"One of our many areas is early childhood education, so this gives them an opportunity for a hands-on experience with the children," she said while readying scarecrows. "And when there are events in the community, we teach them that it's important to jump in and help."

Reach Dena Levitz at (706) 823-3339 or dena.levitz@augustachronicle.com.