FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. (May 5, 2011) -- Mandy Dalton stands at 5'4" when she's not working. But Saturday, the professional juggler stood nearly 9 feet tall while walking on stilts at Fort Meade's annual Family Fun Fair.
"Boy, she's really tall!" said Kierra Randolph, 11, who hurried to Dalton's side for a photograph. "I've seen people like this in the circus."
Dalton was one of several entertainers at the four-hour celebration, which was part of the installation's commemoration of the Month of the Military Child. More than 2,500 people attended the event held at McGill Training Center and Murphy Field House.
"This is an opportunity for us to honor the children of our service members," said Francisco Jamison, youth administrator for Child, Youth and School Services and the event's organizer. "It's a time to get together as a community to celebrate military children."
This year marks the 25th anniversary the Department of Defense has designated April as a month to recognize the nation's military children. Children of service members often experience multiple long-term deployments and separations from one or both parents, as well as multiple relocations and school changes.
The fair offered a wide range of children's activities including pony rides, miniature golf, karaoke, arts and crafts, skateboard demonstrations and face painting. Some children who are members of School of Knowledge, Inspiration, Exploration and Skills Unlimited performed ballet, tap dancing and Tae Kwon Do.
The event also featured informational displays provided by post service organizations and agencies such as CYS2, the Fort Meade Credit Union, Kimbrough Public Health Nursing and the Fort Meade USO.
"We're always looking for family stuff to do that's convenient and preferably free," said Monica Hughes, a Heritage Park resident who attended the fair with her husband, Air Force Senior Airman D'Andre Hughes of the 22nd Intelligence Squadron, and their two children. "We think it's great and we're having a blast."
At the pony rides, retired Col. John Levine stood in line with his 3-year-old daughter Sophie.
"The organizers did a good job," Levine said. "This set-up is fine."
Magician Chuck Bollinger performed a show at Murphy Field House that included juggling and creating an American flag out of red, white and blue scarves.
"Kids like to believe in magic," he said. "This is a great event."
Members of the Fort Meade Highsteppers youth track and field team sold fruit-flavored icy slushes to raise funds. These funds will help defray the costs of attending the Amateur Athletic Union Junior Olympics in New Orleans this summer.
"We're just out here to have fun," said Patty Grace, the team's administrative coach. "The people are just glad to be here."
Jason Boyer, a driver operator with the Fort Meade Fire Department, allowed children to climb aboard a fire truck and sit behind the steering wheel.
"We're doing our public service," Boyer said. "The kids come first today."
Social Sharing