Celebrating children, and family

It was a third straight year of success for Corning's Youth Fair where children and parents learned, enjoyed, played, and ate to their hearts' content.

The event, held Saturday at Northside Park, was organized by Corning Family Resource Center, said Carol Curry, program manager.

"I think it went really well," she said. "We had 34 participating agencies and different groups. The idea for this year was promoting back to school and helping parents get ready for the new school year."

The fair featured booths that taught children how to brush their teeth, make enormous bubbles, bead necklaces, make pinwheels, and toss a bean bag. There were also booths for face painting, eating hotdogs, playing in sand and snow.

One of the more serious booths was Fingerprint Identification manned by Corning Police Department Cadets.

"We have forms were we fingerprint children and then give the forms to the parents for their personal records," said Cadet Evelyn Castrejon.

There was also a Corning Union Elementary School District booth were parents could by student uniforms for their children in preparation for school which starts today.

A very large Mobile Dental Unit van was parked at the fair, sponsored by First 5 and Northern Valley Indian Health.

"Parents can sign their children up for free child dental exams while the unit is in Corning for the next couple of weeks," said Mary Jacobson, of Tehama County Health Services.

Price's Pharmacy offered information about poison prevention, Same As You - an anti-bullying group - was on hand, as was Alternatives to Violence.

Tehama County Child Abuse Prevention Council had a booth where children could make pinwheels.

"Every child deserves a happy, safe, nurturing childhood. The blue pinwheel is our symbol of that goal," said Lavonne Fawyer, Northern Valley Catholic Social Service coordinator.

Entertainment was also offered, including singing by McKayla Sides, 13, of Gerber, and Sydney Montgomery, 9, of Corning.

A school backpack raffle brought smiles to many a child, as did fun offered by church groups, preschools and daycare centers.

"We had at least 200 children sign up for the raffle," Curry said. "And we already have lots of new ideas for next year which again will take place the second Saturday in August."

She is especially grateful to all who helped and participated in the community oriented event.