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Community Corner

Big Community Crowd Turns Out for Family Faire

Neighborhood, school and church organizations entertain families at celebration.

Even though Saturday's was spread out between the  cafeteria and gym, crowds were thick, and it was getting cozy in the aisles and in front of the stage, where youth and professionals entertained. Thirty-six businesses, community organizations and churches manned activity booths, offering information to parents and games and crafts for the kids.

"It's a great turnout," said Lauren Lotz, the communications and marketing supervisor for the New Lenox Park District. "We've got a lot of new entertainment this year and a lot of interesting stuff happening. It's going really well so far."

At 10:30 am Saturday, Lotz said she estimated that the fair crowd had already reached 700 to 800 people in attendance. Typically, Family Faire draws about 900 attendees total.

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"Lauren had a new business today that walked through. They're not even open yet, and they wanted to know how to get involved in this next year," said Greg Lews, executive director of the New Lenox Park District, commenting on how local businesses and organizations are eager to support Family Faire.

"We try to come every year," said Leanne Adamo of Frankfort, watching her son, Dominic, roll out clay at the booth.

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"I love how it's the community coming together and the variety we have in here. And it being free to the community, that's a plus," she added.

Free is definitely a plus, and it only works that way because of the generous sponsors, said Lotz.

"They help underwrite the cost of the entertainment and the giveaways," she said. People could make a donation for the pancake breakfast or bring a small, new toy for the Treasure Chest pediatric oncology donation program, but they didn't have to. They could simply come and enjoy the event.

"It's another avenue that's free for the community to get out and do something fun with their kids," Lewis added.

New this year to Family Faire was the community banner project. Lotz reached out to school and park districts, asking them to make banners that depicted the theme of Helping Hands Across the Community.

"We needed something more tangible to show the TEAM (Teaching Everyone Assets Matter) Asset connections," Lotz said. "People weren't quite sure how it was going to work, but they turned out great. We hope to make this a regular part of what we do."

Family Faire is organized and run by five park districts--New Lenox, Mokena, , and Manhattan--under the guidance of TEAM Asset. However, Lewis pointed out that the Asset program is not just this once a year weekend celebration; it's a daily focus by area schools, churches and community organizations to promote positive character development in our youth.

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