The 2010 Park Party season is officially over and it’s been incredible!! This summer we have served over 30,000 kids and families by providing free food and free fun in six locations around West Michigan. I want to thank every person that participated in the events. I also want to thank my co-workers, the college interns, city officials and volunteers from every location for assisting in making each event special. We couldn’t do these giant, free events without awesome corporate partners. Here’s a HUGE THANK YOU to them: Bethany Christian Services, Country Fresh Ice Cream, Cheese Kurls, Craig’s Cruisers, Ferris State University, Fifth Third Bank, Goodwill Industries, Ice Mountain, Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, Holland Aquatic Center, Meijer, Pine Rest Christian Services, Priority Health, STAR 105.7, Touchstone Energy Cooperative, West Michigan Whitecaps, USDA and the MI Department of Ed. The get the full scoop of what it takes to make these events happen watch “Where You Live” on Saturday, July 31st we’ll be doing a special “Park Parties” by the numbers!! The show airs at 7:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. on WOTV 4 and 6:30 p.m. on WOOD TV 8. Thanks again for being part of a great summer of Park Parties!!!
It’s so hard to believe that on Thursday, July 29th we’ll be hosting our final Park Party of 2010! It’s been an amazing summer so far and I can’t wait to head out to the Allegan County Fairgrounds for an afternoon of FREE fun! Once again we’ve really spread things out so there’s plenty of room for everything and everyone! The new features we have added to this year’s events including “Last in Line” signs, more activities, more space, more entertainment and more vendors has really made a big difference. If you haven’t had the chance to join us for a Park Party yet this year this is your last chance! Free lunches start at 11:30 for anyone under 18 and Park Party fun goes from noon – 2 p.m. I’m looking forward to meeting you on Thursday!
On Thursday, July 22nd the Park Party team will bring the party to Upjohn Park in Kalamazoo! The park is located at 1018 Walter Street on the corner of Walter and Crosstown Pkwy. It’s a beautiful park with a boundless playground, basketball court, skate park and swimming pool! Plus, huge green space for all our activities. Free lunches will be served starting at 11:30 for anyone under 18 and Park Party fun will roll from noon – 2 p.m. It’s the fifth Park Party of the summer and I hope to see you there!!
The next Park Party of the summer takes place at Kollen Park in Holland on July 15th! This party is often one of our largest and we’re looking forward to a great turn out and a great time! The forecast shows hot and humid so be sure to bring a water bottle for everyone in the family and a lot of sunscreen! There’s also a slight chance of rain but remember our Park Parties go on rain or shine. Free lunches will be served starting at 11:30 a.m. for anyone 18 or younger. Then, Park Party action takes place from noon – 2 p.m. We have a full stage of wonderful local kid entertainment. We also have great Produce for Kids from Meijer, the Fifth Third Super Slide, Pine Rest Ropes Course, Ferris State University Climbing Wall and more! Priority Health will have FREE backpacks for the kids! My friends from the Holland Aquatic Center will be at this party with special fun for kids too!! Hope to see you and your family Thursday at Kollen Park!
We’re busy planning, packing and preparing for the third Park Party of the summer! On Thursday, July 8th we’ll be heading to the Barry Expo Center on M-37 between Middleville and Hastings. Free lunches for kids 18 and under will be available starting at 11:30 and all our activities and entertainment will go from noon – 2 p.m. I’m excited for this event because we’ve never held a Park Party in this community before. Of course we’ll have all the free items like the Priority Health backpacks, the Country Fresh Ice Cream, the Meijer treats and more. Plus, great activities like the Pine Rest Ropes Course, the Fifth Third Super Slide and the Ferris State University Climbing Wall. We’ll also have some extra special surprises for kids! I hope to see you and your family this Thursday at the Barry Expo Center!
On Thursday, July 1st we’ll host our second Park Party of the summer at Lamar Park in Wyoming! It’s a beautiful park and we’re excited to offer an afternoon of free family there! A few highlights-Craig’s Cruisers will give 5,000 go kart rides away at tomorrow’s event!!! Goodwill Industries will be collecting gently used items-bring a bag of goodies and we’ll give you an Entertainment Book. This park also features a super sweet Splash Pad for kids. Free lunches will be served to anyone 18 and under starting at 11:30 a.m. and the party will begin at noon.
I’m so excited for the first Park Party of the summer taking place Thursday, June 24th at the Cedar Springs Public School Complex! The event takes place from noon – 2 p.m. and free lunches will be served starting at 11:30 to anyone 18 or younger. The best place to park for this event is at Cedar Springs High School. A shuttle bus will be available between the high school and the party site. Bring a bag or two of gently used or new items, donate the goods to Goodwill Industries and you’ll get a 2010 Entertainment Book-while supplies last. I’d also suggest you bring water and sunscreen because Storm Team 8 is forecasting nice, sunny skies! Hope to see you and your family on Thursday at the first Park Party of the Summer!
The 2010 Summer Reading Club has officially kicked off at libraries around West Michigan! The six week campaign encourages kids to read all summer long! Simply visit your local library, sign up for the club and get reading!
This year we’ve partnered with great organizations to provide fun prizes for readers including Meijer, The Holland Aquatic Center, The John Ball Zoo, Avalanche Bay and the West Michigan Whitecaps!! Kids will even have the chance to win a trip for four to New York City.
Get to your local library, sign up for the Summer Reading Club and get reading!!
This weekend on “Where You Live” we’re hitting the road and off to Michigan’s Adventure! We’ll check out all the newest rides and attractions, give you insider tips to make the most of your visit and provide all kinds of ideas to help plan great summer fun for your family! Sign up to win one of two family four packs of tickets to Michigan’s Adventure simply by clicking on the contest button at the top of this site. Good luck and get ready for a summer full of great family fun!!!
See if you can win it in a minute!! This summer I’m thrilled to once again partner with Tommy and Brook of STAR 105.7 to bring some extra special FUN to our Park Parties! Tommy and Brook are looking for people who want to be a sixty second star by playing crazy games on stage. Win the game and you’ll win a family get-away to Avalanche Bay! Get a fifty dollar gift to Celebration Cinema just for trying! Find out all the details at www.westmichiganstar.com and watch for their TV spot on WOOD TV and WOTV 4. “http://www.westmichiganstar.com/pages/tommyandbrook.html”>
Maranda joined WOOD TV8, WOTV 4 and WXSP TV in January of 2001 as Children and Family Services Manager. Maranda oversees the development of station projects on-air, online and in our community that target kids and families.
The 2010 Park Party season is officially over and it’s been incredible!! This summer we have served over 30,000 kids and families by providing free food and free fun in six locations around West Michigan. I want to thank every person that participated in the events. I also want to thank my co-workers, the college interns, city officials and volunteers from every location for assisting in making each event special. We couldn’t do these giant, free events without awesome corporate partners. Here’s a HUGE THANK YOU to them: Bethany Christian Services, Country Fresh Ice Cream, Cheese Kurls, Craig’s Cruisers, Ferris State University, Fifth Third Bank, Goodwill Industries, Ice Mountain, Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, Holland Aquatic Center, Meijer, Pine Rest Christian Services, Priority Health, STAR 105.7, Touchstone Energy Cooperative, West Michigan Whitecaps, USDA and the MI Department of Ed. The get the full scoop of what it takes to make these events happen watch “Where You Live” on Saturday, July 31st we’ll be doing a special “Park Parties” by the numbers!! The show airs at 7:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. on WOTV 4 and 6:30 p.m. on WOOD TV 8. Thanks again for being part of a great summer of Park Parties!!!
Maranda joined WOOD TV8, WOTV 4 and WXSP TV in January of 2001 as Children and Family Services Manager. Maranda oversees the development of station projects on-air, online and in our community that target kids and families.