Every April, the Y celebrates Healthy Kids Day, our national initiative to improve the health and well-being of kids. April is also National Kite Month, when the Berks County Parks and Recreation Department hosts “Go Fly a Kite! Day.” The YMCA of Reading & Berks County and the County of Berks have joined forces to create one fantastic event combining healthy activities & information for kids and their families with kite-flying fun! This free family event is set for Saturday, April 29, from noon to 5 pm at the Youth Recreation Facility, 1098 County Road, Bern Township; with a rain date of Sunday, April 30.
“The blending of the YMCA Healthy Kids Day and the Berks Parks & Recreation’s Go Fly A Kite Day will bring together kids and their families from all over Berks County,” says Berks County Commissioner and YMCA Healthy Kids Day Champion, Kevin Barnhardt, “for a fun filled free day of activities aimed to get kids moving, think healthy and be inspired.”
This free fun active event will have something for everyone in your family! Your kids can come fly a kite, plant a garden, taste test some food, meet local law enforcement, and get some great health and wellness information. Together our kids will “Get Active & Take Flight!” For more information on the local initiative, visit <www.ymca-berkscounty.org/healthy-kids-day>.
“As a nonprofit organization committed to youth development, healthy living and social responsibility,” said Kim Johnson, President & CEO of the YMCA of Reading & Berks County, “through the YMCA Healthy Kids Day, we’re addressing critical gaps in health and education.”
All ages and levels of kite-flying enthusiasts will display their colorful creations in the air and on the ground as part of the festival. Bring a homemade kite, newspaper kite, or a store-bought kite to fly in the Open-Fly Zones. Visit www.countyofberks.com/parks for some homemade kite templates. Children can make a kite in our Sled-Kite Workshop, on soccer field #1; and later fly them in one of the contests starting at 3 pm. On soccer field #3, professional kiters will be showing off their kite creations and flying skills throughout the day, and in the homemade kite contests starting at 4:30 pm.
Attendees may bring their own kites, create a sled kite or purchase one from our kite vendor. Due to the close proximity of the Reading Regional Airport, all kite flying is restricted to 350 feet from the ground.
Things to know- There will be a Home Run Derby on Kurowski Field, time TBD
– Vote for your favorite police vehicle in the Law Enforcement Car Competition
– Raptor program with Hawk Mountain Sanctuary
– Hot Air Balloon demos- Disc Golf Clinic
– Bring a canned food donation for our Local Food Bank.
– YMCA Childcare Art & Talent Show
– Bring a store-bought kite, or “homemade” kite, or kids can make one in the Sled Kite Workshop tent.
– Professional Kite demos, and kite art exhibit around Pro-Kiters field
– Bring a picnic, and there is food available for purchase.
– Visit our websites and social media pages for details on the event. Share the excitement with us through our link #readingberksYhkd
This year’s sponsors include: Reading Health System, Big Vision Foundation, The YMCA of Reading & Berks County, Berks County Parks and Recreation Department, Giant, & U.P.M.C.
This event is presented by the YMCA of Reading & Berks County and the Berks County Parks and Recreation Department. The Youth Recreation Facility is located at 1098 County Road in Bern Township across from the Berks County Career and Technology Center West, (also known as the Big Vision Sports Complex).
For more information or directions, contact the YMCA of Reading & Berks County at 610-944-6515, <www.ymca-berkscounty.org> or the Berks County Parks and Recreation Department at 610-374-2944 ext. 2611, <www.countyofberks.com/parks>.
