FORT RILEY, Kan. - A free event is scheduled for children at Fort Riley as the Month of the Military Child winds down. The

event, Kidsfest, will take place at Riley's Conference Center April 26 from noon to 3 p.m.

Child and Youth Liaison Education Outreach Services director Cheryl Greathouse said it is intentionally set near the end of MOMC to act as the big finale.

Greathouse said a variety of agencies and organizations from off and on the post will provide children's activities. Kidsfest will have a carnival-like atmosphere that includes static displays

and program demonstrations.

All groups within Child Youth and School Services will be represented at the wrap up festival with stations featuring carnival games and crafts.

"We are all coming together as a community and are putting a lot of emphasis on military children because they have a unique lifestyle and we want to show them a lot of support and celebrate," Greathouse said.

Greathouse said that planning for this event generally begins in December and a lot of work goes into making not just the month special, but every not just the month special, but every individual event festive too.

"It has been a team effort with all of these staffs coming together to do this, it has not been any one person," Greathouse said. "There has been a lot of people. A lot of meetings. A lot of coordination to make this a big finale."

Michelle Durgin, CYSS coordinator, said that the people organizing MOMC events recognize the sacrifice of military kids. They may have opportunities for travel and increased resiliency but there are challenges that don't translate to the civilian world, such as parents going to war.

The event is used as an opportunity to help celebrate military children, Greathouse said, and because of this, is open to surrounding community members so they can join alongside the people at Fort Riley to underscore the role children play in the Armed Forces community.

"We believe firmly that MOMC is not something to just pay lip service to," Durgin said. "We want to provide opportunities for children to set out with families and spend time together."