There was running, walking, driving, biking and motorcycling — and a little bit of fighting at Jack Kilby Square.
All of the activity starting at Jack Kilby Square was for a good cause.
The local community participated in phases of “Make a MOVEment,” Saturday that promoted the Dell Hayden Memorial Child Advocacy Center, which supports child victims of sexual abuse. Participants learned facts about child abuse along their journey.
Sarah Schenek said the goals of Make a MOVEment are to raise awareness and to help the Child Advocacy Center provide continued services to children and their families. Crystal Schroeder received credit for creating the idea of a multi-faceted fundraiser.
The most creative event was a recreation of medieval combat by local members of The Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA). The SCA is an international organization dedicated to researching and recreating the arts, skills, and traditions of the Middles Ages and Renaissance.
Great Bend’s Troy Byer, also known as O.D. Barbarrosa, is named after a former Holy Roman Emperor named Frederick Barbarrosa. Byer served as marshal to judge and protect the medieval fighters. Byer inspects the fighters to make sure they are wearing proper protective equipment. The fighters compete on a honor system, whereby they call their own strikes which would inflict harm.
“I am the fighters’ eyes and ears. My job is to help the fighters, and see the things that they can’t always see because their vision is blocked,” Byer said. “It’s my job to stop the fight when I need to.”
Byer is required to take training so is judged to be a competent marshal allowed to supervise such fighting.
Wichita’s Lord Johann Steinarsson served as Herald to announce to spectators the combat taking place. He explained how fighters wear protective equipment and use weapons made of Rattan, a sturdy and flexible palm tree native to Asia, Africa and Australia.
Members of the SCA study and take part in a variety of activities, including combat, archery, equestrian activities, costuming, cooking, metalwork, woodworking, music, dance, calligraphy and fiber art.
Downtown was busy with other activities, including a sidewalk sale.
Family activities featured country singer Jake Gill, bounce houses, face painting, cotton candy, medieval entertainment and awareness information.
Participants started the day by donating a new stuffed animal or blanket for a child. Lucky winners were part of a drawing for more than $15,000 in donated prizes. Local businesses helped CAC sponsor 30 prizes valued at $500.
The Child Advocacy Center opened its doors at 1924 Broadway Ave. in November, as a division of the Family Crisis Center. The non-profit organization has helped more than 70 children in six months. More than 85 percent are from Barton County, but they also serve Pawnee County and nearby counties by request.
The Dell Hayden Memorial Child Advocacy Center follows a model used nationwide to provide advocacy and services to children and their families affected by child abuse. Trained interviewers find the least traumatic way to gather information from young victims.
Through an interagency agreement, information is shared by law enforcement, mental health, the Department for Children and Families and the county attorney’s office, all working together for the best interest of the child.
“We want the child and families to thrive and move on from these events,” Sarah Schenek said.