Plans are in the works for the upcoming Family Crisis Center (FCC) Fall Festival where participants can enjoy a family-friendly event with vendors, educational materials, and activities for adults and children.
This fourth annual event, which is in observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October, is set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, at Jack Kilby Square in downtown Great Bend.
“All the details aren’t worked out yet but we encourage local and area residents to mark this festival on their calendars,” said Aimee Peschka, FCC executive coordinator of programming. “There is no charge for the event but vendors will sell food and merchandise.”
Free kids’ activities include bounce houses, face-painting, balloon-twisting, mini-golf, yard games, and arts and crafts. Raffle prizes are available too.
“Volunteers are still needed for setting up exhibits and monitoring yard games,” Peschka noted. “Since we also want to showcase local talent, we invite singers, musicians and dancers to contact us and schedule a performance.”
One highlight of the event is the Community Wreath. Participants are asked to choose ribbons that come in varied colors to represent domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and child abuse.
“Contributing to this wreath is one way to honor survivors of domestic violence,” Peschka explained. “It is a wonderful, colorful representation of people who have lived in violent situations and are on the road to recovery.”
Other agencies are encouraged to set up booths and exhibits to feature their local, community-based services.
Two walks
The Empower Walk entails a lap around the courthouse square, also in honor of survivors.
“Walkers will notice a series of silhouettes along the route,” Peschka commented. “These silhouettes feature domestic-violence statistics that can often be surprising. We hope participants take the time to read the information to learn more about the extent of this problem.”
The FCC is bringing back the Walk a Mile in Her Shoes for men; a free-will donation is requested.
Men who register in advance will get a T-shirt but they may sign up on the day of the event too.
“We have quite a variety of high heels available for the walkers,” Peschka added. “This is not a competition of any kind; it’s just another way to raise awareness in this family-friendly atmosphere.”
For more information, contact Peschka by calling 620-793-9941 or emailing aimeen@familycrisiscntr.org.
