Five Joliet sites host Worldwide Day of Play activities Saturday
Posted By Admin on September 27, 2011
Updated: September 23, 2011 2:37AM
JOLIET — Three junior high schools will participate in this weekend’s Worldwide Day of Play, an annual event that encourages active and healthy lifestyles.
All children and families are invited to participate in free outdoor activities from 11 am to 2 pm Saturday at Dirksen, Hufford and Washington junior high schools in Joliet. Other participating Joliet sites include Inwood Park and the Galowich YMCA.
Created by the entertainment network Nickelodeon, this weekend’s Worldwide Day of Play promises to be the largest event in the initiative’s eight years.
The Joliet sites are among more than 4,000 confirmed play locations in many countries, including India and Tanzania.
The flagship Worldwide Day of Play event will be on the Ellipse, south of the White House in Washington.
Nickelodeon’s networks and websites will go dark during the event, a signal to kids and families to get up and get active, Nickelodeon said in a news release.
Joliet’s play sites will offer activities including jump ropes, hula hoops, inflatable hoppers, Frisbees, tag games, relays, kites, horseshoe and washer games, sidewalk art, and ball games with footballs, soccer balls and volleyballs.
“It’s just to get families out playing together. We just want people to know that it’s OK to play with their kids,” said Deborah Carter, program coordinator for the Joliet Grade School District. Carter represents the district on the Joliet Partners for Healthy Families committee.
Each Joliet site also will have giveaways Saturday. Kids can win paddleballs, pencils, plastic bracelets and bottles of bubbles.
Snacks will include apples, carrots and water.
The local event is sponsored by Joliet Partners for Healthy Families. The partnership includes the school district, the Joliet Park District, the Harvey Brooks Foundation, Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center, the Greater Joliet Area YMCA, University of Illinois Extension, the University of St. Francis and the Will County Health Department.
Joliet sites are:
Dirksen Junior High, 203 S. Midland Ave.
Hufford Junior High, 1125 N. Larkin Ave.
Washington Junior High, 402 Richards St.
Inwood Park Junior High, 3200 W. Jefferson St.
Galowich YMCA, 749 Houbolt Road
For more information, visit www.nick.com.
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