AUBURN - At 75 years old, Auburn resident Barbara Broome can remember attending the annual Booker T. Washington end-of-summer field days when she was in grade school.
Today, the field day must still be a highly anticipated event, as children of all ages attended the annual program Saturday.
"Every year, since the Booker T. Washington building was invented, they have been having the end-of-summer field day," Broome said. "They had it at the old building and when they moved here to the new one, they still have it."
Broome, along with Mary Robinson, of Auburn, volunteer their time at the center. Each year at the field day, the pair teams up to offer the cake wheel, a game in which you choose a number and if that number is drawn, you win one of several cakes donated by area businesses.
"We have been doing the cake wheel for about 30 years," Robinson said.
The hot spot of the day for the children was trying to dunk Travis McLeod into the dunking booth. McLeod works with the children during the summer in many of the center's programs.
"I volunteered for the dunking booth because it's been a lot of fun in past years," he said. "We all had a lot of fun this summer. The kids are great."
In addition to the many carnival games that could be played for a quarter, there were several rides that were rented from area party rental stores. The chance to win one of two bicycles or several other prizes was a hit at the day's event. Organizers even held a silent auction that gave area parents a chance to catch up on their school shopping.
"Each year we get the school supply list from area schools and try to purchase as many of these items as we can," said program director Crystal Rozelle. "We offer these supplies at a significantly lower price for people who would otherwise not be able to afford these things."
Community groups, such as SAVAR and Reduce Adolescent Pregnancy, found the event a nice way to get out and meet area families in a relaxing atmosphere. The Auburn Fire Department found that letting the children explore the fire truck and look at their gear was a refreshing change from the typical circumstances in which they meet the community.
"Unfortunately, kids usually only see us at bad times," said Lt. Dick Stabinsky. "We talk to them about fire safety and let them explore the truck. We even have our gear out so that they won't be so afraid of us, if they ever need us."
The Booker T. Washington annual field day is not a fund-raiser, but just a way for families to enjoy the end of summer.
"We also use this time to let people know of the programs that we offer," Rozelle said.
"Every year, since the Booker T. Washington building was invented, they have been having the end-of-summer field day," Broome said. "They had it at the old building and when they moved here to the new one, they still have it."
Broome, along with Mary Robinson, of Auburn, volunteer their time at the center. Each year at the field day, the pair teams up to offer the cake wheel, a game in which you choose a number and if that number is drawn, you win one of several cakes donated by area businesses.
"We have been doing the cake wheel for about 30 years," Robinson said.
The hot spot of the day for the children was trying to dunk Travis McLeod into the dunking booth. McLeod works with the children during the summer in many of the center's programs.
"I volunteered for the dunking booth because it's been a lot of fun in past years," he said. "We all had a lot of fun this summer. The kids are great."
In addition to the many carnival games that could be played for a quarter, there were several rides that were rented from area party rental stores. The chance to win one of two bicycles or several other prizes was a hit at the day's event. Organizers even held a silent auction that gave area parents a chance to catch up on their school shopping.
"Each year we get the school supply list from area schools and try to purchase as many of these items as we can," said program director Crystal Rozelle. "We offer these supplies at a significantly lower price for people who would otherwise not be able to afford these things."
Community groups, such as SAVAR and Reduce Adolescent Pregnancy, found the event a nice way to get out and meet area families in a relaxing atmosphere. The Auburn Fire Department found that letting the children explore the fire truck and look at their gear was a refreshing change from the typical circumstances in which they meet the community.
"Unfortunately, kids usually only see us at bad times," said Lt. Dick Stabinsky. "We talk to them about fire safety and let them explore the truck. We even have our gear out so that they won't be so afraid of us, if they ever need us."
The Booker T. Washington annual field day is not a fund-raiser, but just a way for families to enjoy the end of summer.
"We also use this time to let people know of the programs that we offer," Rozelle said.
