For the past decade, area groups and businesses have offered fun and games to encourage children to avoid drugs and alcohol.
It’s an event called Family Safety Night, sponsored by the Allen County Multi-Agency Team (ACMAT), and it returns Thursday evening from 5:30 to 7 on the east side of the square.
“It’s our 10th annual Family Safety Night, so we’re pretty excited,” Jessica McGinnis, Drug-Free Community Coordinator for ACMAT and the Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center, said.
“We want to offer an event for families and youth that is free of any drugs and alcohol.”
The event includes more than 25 booths to offer information about healthy living. Many of the booths offer free gifts, treats or games. Booths are sponsored by civic organizations, non-profit groups and businesses.
At one popular booth by the Allen County Sheriff’s Department, visitors can enter a drawing for one of four bicycles.
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) returns with its annual snow-cone booth, and Hope Unlimited brings the popcorn.
“Our ACMAT coalition has amazing partners and volunteers. That’s why this has continued for 10 years,” McGinnis said.
Some booths teach children about the dangers of drugs and alcohol, bicycle safety and personal safety. Another booth, new this year, will offer information on video game safety.
In addition to the booths, the event offers several inflatables, face painting, karaoke and games.
The Iola Kiwanis Club will offer train rides. The Kansas Highway Patrol plans to bring its seatbelt simulator, and the Iola Fire Department will bring its smoke house simulator.
The event ends with a fire hose blast courtesy of the fire department.
All activities are free.
Also available for purchase will be food from Red Beard Barbecue’s mobile food truck.
Participants also can enter for drawings for gift cards to G&W Foods, the Protein Place and Pete’s convenience stores.
