Fort Rucker Children's Festival kicks off Easter festivities

By Janice Sullivan, DFMWR Marketing DirectorMarch 25, 2010

Fort Rucker Children's Festival kicks off Easter festivities
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT RUCKER, Ala. -- It's that time of the year again to get ready for the annual Children's Festival March 27 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Fort Rucker Festival Fields located off Andrews Avenue.

Hosted by the Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation staff, this free festival is one of the organization's signature Family events held every year to celebrate Fort Rucker children and lead into April's Month of the Military Child.

DFMWR kicked it up a notch this year with more than 30 groups taking part to help make this event a success. Sponsors, community organizations and DFMWR departments are joining together in support of the Army Family Covenant - the Army's and DFMWR's mission to provide high-quality programs for Soldiers and Families, according to Evy Bludsworth, DFMWR deputy director.

"The Children's Festival supports the Army Family Covenant by providing quality fun for our Army Families," said Bludsworth. "The children, along with their parents, are able to enjoy themselves by hunting (for) Easter eggs, playing on inflatables and participating in challenging games at no cost. Everything is planned for their enjoyment."

Showcasing this year's Children's Festival is the annual Easter egg hunt with more than 12,000 eggs with prizes. Children's inflatables and activities, photos with the Easter bunny and a free magic show at 3 p.m. are just a sample of what the day holds for the Fort Rucker community.

To keep the event fresh every year, a new aspect of this year's festival is the 1950s theme, "Blast from the Past." DFMWR staff will be dressed in 1950s attire, including poodle skirts, penny loafers and leather jackets. Many of the activities and crafts are also themed to match.

"We hope the children will learn about the 1950s while they're having fun," said Emily Klein, DFMWR special events coordinator.

Klein added she was excited about what the Children's Festival gives back to the entire Fort Rucker community.

"There is nothing better than knowing you've made a memorable moment in someone's childhood. We hope that years from now these kids will have cherished memories of their time at Fort Rucker and with the military," she said.

Children are encouraged to bring baskets for the Easter egg hunt. Age groups and times will be posted at the festival. The Children's Festival is Exceptional Family Member Program-friendly, and no pets are allowed. In the case of inclement weather, it will be at the Youth Services building.

For more information and a complete list of activities and times, visit <a href="http://www.ftruckermwr.com/Events/ChildrensFest/" target="_blank"> http://ftruckermwr.com/Events/ChildrensFest/</a> or call 255-1749.