Families find fun at parks festival

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By Linda Cook | Sunday, May 18, 2008 9:32 PM CDT | () comments

Angelo Guzman, 9, hurls himself to the bottom of an inflatable slide at a family festival in Davenport, Iowa Sunday May 18, 2008. (Jeff Cook/QUAD-CITY TIMES) Buy this Photo

The happy creatures that frolicked Sunday at the Family Fest in Fejervary Park, Davenport, included cats, dogs, pigs, goats ... and oh, yes, people.

The free event from noon to

4 p.m. offered families an afternoon of fun, from watching the animals at the zoo to face painting, crafts, program demonstrations and inflatable “jumpers” for children.

Theresa Hauman, senior recreation manager for Davenport Parks & Recreation, said this is the third year for the event.

“We have started a series of putting-people-in-motion events,” she said. “They are free events in all of our parks that spotlight what you have (the opportunity) to do with families in our parks.”

“The weather’s always great for this event ... all of our people-in-motion events, actually,” she said.

At least 250 families, or about 1,000 people enjoyed Sunday afternoon at the park, Hauman said.

Even the youngest participants enjoyed themselves. Jovani Garcia, 14 months, pointed at the cats on display at the Humane Society of Scott County booth.

“We like (the event). It’s good for kids,” said his mother, Carolina Rodriguez, of Davenport. Later, she held her son while he gazed down at the petting-zoo pigs, which wagged their curly tails while she patted them.

Ed Podber, education director of the Humane Society of Scott County, said the animals at the shelter were at the event “to make people aware of the shelter and what good animals they are.” Humane Society volunteer Sharon Roesger said the three cats and a dog made guest appearances in hopes of “getting them all adopted.”

Nearby, Sheri Johnson, of Davenport, enjoyed herself on a shady bench while her family strolled around.

“I have cancer, and my daughter tries to force me to go out and do things,” Johnson said. “This is very nice. I’m glad I came. My two grandkids won’t go on the jumping things — they just want to see the animals.”

Randy Schutters, of Davenport, brought his son Anthony, 10 months; and daughter Katelyn, 6, who wore a handmade headband with waving “deelie bobbers.” Schutters said his son “has been checking out the animals,” so it was no surprise that his daughter said “petting the animals” was her favorite part of the afternoon.

With her curly red hair, 19-month-old Isabel Brooke, of Bettendorf, drew a lot of attention as she toddled along. Her mother, Catherine Brooke, said this was her daughter’s first big event, which she appreciated because it allowed Isabel to enjoy the animals and, “it’s not watching TV.”

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(563) 383-2450 or newsroom@qctimes.com.

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