Free carnival, events help make military children's month fun

April was a month to celebrate military children and included several activities at Fort Gordon in their honor.

//

"This is our culminating activity for the Month of the Military Child," said Mary Crowder, the children and youth services chief at a carnival near Children and Youth Services on April 21. "We've put on a carnival at least four years. Everything is free."

The carnival included a train ride and mini Ferris wheel. There were jumping castles and arts and crafts activities.

Shirley Brown and her daughters, Markeha Mitchell, 13, and Deandryia Mitchell, 15, missed the official hula hoop contests and decided to have their own among the three of them.

"We're just going to enjoy the day," Ms. Brown said.

Fort Gordon's public safety officers brought out a fire engine for children to explore, and the military police held a military working dog demonstration.

The carnival was one of several activities related to military children during the month.

The festivities began with a children's dinner theater featuring magician John Tudor on April 14.

On Saturday, about 58 civilian and military children between the ages of 5 and 17 participated in the Missoula Children's Theatre production of The Little Mermaid at Alexander Hall.

About 80 children attended the auditions April 23.

Samantha Jasak, a sophomore at the Academy of Richmond County, said she enjoyed working on the show.

"I love little kids, and I love acting," she said.

Reach Charmain Z. Brackett at czbrackett@hotmail.com.