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Families whoop it up at Fun Night
BOARDMAN
Eighteen-month-old Olivia Bleehash coasted down an inflatable slide Saturday with a whoosh and a squeal — and then tried to climb up again.
“She doesn’t understand she has to wait,” said her mom, Tiffany Bleehash, laughing.
It was the first time they attended Boardman Park’s Family Fun Night, said Marc Bleehash, who accompanied his daughter on the slide.
“I think [Olivia] thinks it’s really fun, and I appreciate that it’s a free event,” Tiffany said.
Family Fun Night has been at the park for at least 10 years, said Karen McCallum, recreation and outdoor education specialist.
“This year it’s been a little more popular, and I think the weather has a lot to do with it. Two nights were rained-out last year,” she said, adding, “I think it’s also partly the economy because people are looking for something fun and free to do together.”
Lily Naughton, 5, was one of the about 80 people who attended Saturday’s event.
“I want to jump on the bounce-around,” she told her mom, Kim Naughton, who was pushing Lily’s brother, James, 20 months, in a stroller.
Kim said her family is from Boardman and enjoys coming to the park for the wide range of free events.
McCallum said one aspect of the park’s mission is to provide diverse programming.
Family Fun Night on Saturday included performances from the musical group Backbeat, crafts, hayrides, bounce-arounds and a screening of “Finding Nemo.”
The Family Fun Nights are co-sponsored by Armstrong Cable, which provides the films screened at the Maag Outdoor Arts Theatre, and Bounce-A-Round, which donates the use of the inflatable items, McCallum said.
“This is a great opportunity for families to spend time together,” she said.
Boardman Park’s final Family Fun Night this summer is scheduled for Aug. 27 and will feature country-music band Outlaw and a showing of “Toy Story 2.”