HORSEBACK HEYDAY … Amy Matthews assists a child riding Olaf the horse at the Swanton Valley Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center’s annual family fun fair on Wednesday.
By: Jesse Davis
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
jesse@thevillagereporter.com
A heat index in the 90s couldn’t melt the smiles of the faces at the Swanton Valley Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center’s annual Family Fun Fair on Wednesday.
Director of Business Development Rebecca Padilla said the event was one of three events the center puts on every year.
“We do an Easter egg hunt, we do a Halloween event and then our big summer fair,” Padilla said. “This is to say goodbye to summer because kids are going back to school. So, we typically do this once a year, and we just invite the entire community to be a good neighbor.”
She said while the high attendance at the event was a little overwhelming, it turned out well and everyone seemed to be having a good time. She went on to thank the community for their support but was ready to get right back to work.
“We plan it ahead every year, so we already know what day we’re going to do it next year,” she said.
“After this is finished, we’ll start planning it for next year. It takes a good three to four months as it’s coming together, but we pick our day right away.”
Nursing Home Administrator Jackie Riggs called this year’s event a “huge success.” “It’s a wonderful event for the community, they look forward to it every year,” Riggs said.
“We try to make it a little bigger every year. We have quite a few donations with face painting, caricatures, bounce houses, food trucks.”
She said her favorite part was the smiles it puts on the faces of all the residents and the little kids who attend.
“Why we really do it is for our residents, they love coming out here and watching all the littles, and they get to eat ice cream and food while they’re at it, and they’re enjoying the music,” she said. “It’s just great for quality of life for them as well.”
Riggs said the center is here for Swanton and to be a good community partner.
(PHOTOS BY JESSIE DAVIS / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
LIGHTS AND SIRENS … Swanton Fire and Rescue firefighter/EMTs Nick Meko (left) and Dalton Richard (right) show off a fire engine to attendees at Wednesday’s family fun fair at the Swanton Valley Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center.