Parents and children have fun at the Family Fall Festival in District 3

December 17, 2018

Aaron J. Tohtsoni

Gila River Indian News

The Gila River Health Initiative and District 3 recreation co-sponsored the first-ever Family Fall Festival held on Nov. 17 at the Sacaton Middle School football field.

With a turnout of 200 participants, the two groups hope to continue to host the event each year while improving on the first go-around.

“We wanted to do something that involved the whole Community and not just District 3,” said Shayla Narcisco, recreation coordinator. “We reached out to Alie (Walking Badger) and put together a budget to make it a big event. It was just kind of talking between us.”

The event featured carnival style games, raffle drawings, live entertainment from Midnight Rain, hayrides and a 1-mile fun walk and ½ mile elder walk. There was also an inflatable obstacle course, rock climbing wall and two mini-carnival rides.

“It was a test trial but I think it went pretty good,” said Walking Badger, Special Events Coordinator. “Now we know what we need to work on for next year, where we can improve. I would like to keep it going as an annual event.”

Participants of the event said they enjoyed that there were activities available for the children and it gave them an opportunity of a fun family outing. Having the walks in the beginning gave everyone a jolt of energy for the rest of the occasion.

While there was a big turnout for the event, Narcisco said other events in the Community played a factor in participation of certain competitions that had been planned. Looking ahead, the pair said they might move the event date to a different time of the fall season but reiterated they want to continue growing the festival.