What a busy Saturday filled with enjoyable activities for the whole family! The annual Nature and Environmental Fun Day, along with the inaugural Winter Warrior Festival, provided families with hands-on experiences and entertainment.
The Ocean City High School cafeteria buzzed with families exploring the wonders of nature. Children had the opportunity to observe marine creatures up close, interact with a snake, and even encounter a tarantula.
Rick Bernardini, the chairperson of the Environmental Commission hosting the event, expressed his excitement about the record turnout for the fifth Family Fun Day. He highlighted the diverse range of activities available, from animal encounters to educational sessions by utility companies and engaging craft workshops. According to Bernardini, everyone seemed to be thoroughly enjoying themselves while learning about various topics.
At the library table, Emily and Callie Slaughter, accompanied by Rosalie, along with her mother, Stephanie Davis, and grandmother, Valerie Davis, explored the offerings.
Mayor Jay Gillian strolled through the Environmental Fun Day before heading to the Winter Warrior Festival.
Gillian remarked on the strong community presence at the event, emphasizing the joy of seeing multiple generations come together for such occasions.
Stephanie Davis from Ocean City, along with her daughter Rosalie, 3, shared their positive experience at the Family Fun Day. Rosalie proudly exhibited her crafted butterfly and a container of seeds for planting, adding to the fun.
Joining them, Emily Slaughter and her 3-year-old daughter, Callie, expressed their delight in the abundance of activities available, particularly the crafts and interactive displays.
The touch tank, provided by the Wetlands Institute of Stone Harbor, captivated both children and adults alike.
Attendees gathered around a tub filled with various marine creatures, including crabs, mussels, snails, clams, horseshoe crabs, and small fish, as an institute representative shared insights about the marine life on display.
Adjacent to the Wetlands Institute exhibit, tables representing the Cape May County Zoo featured a turtle and a snake, drawing the interest of the crowd. Jenna Babb, from the zoo, supervised a tub containing a red-footed tortoise, sharing fascinating facts about the species and its habitat requirements.
Additionally, demonstrations showcased the shellfish upweller at the Bayside Center, with ACT Engineers President Eric Rosina available to address queries from attendees.
Taimi Kelley, the children’s librarian at the Ocean City Free Public Library, engaged families in discussions about the free items offered, such as books and pencils containing seeds for growing herbs like basil and thyme.
The event, sponsored by the Environmental Commission, the library, and the zoo, received valuable support from students in the Ocean City High School Student Environmental Association.
Adjacent to the Environmental Family Fun Day, the Winter Warrior Festival took place at the Sports and Civic Center.
Despite the chilly weather and light snow, participants in activities like the truck pull and mock rescue expressed their enjoyment of the event.
Ocean City 911 dispatcher Amber Adoranto, part of a team with police officers John DuPont, Lou DiLuzio, and Ryan Lutz, described the day as a thrilling experience. The team, led by Josh Clark, engaged in challenges like a sprint rescue mission and a fire truck pull.
Josh Clark’s team, along with 13 other teams, engaged in friendly competitions for bragging rights.
Children also had the chance to showcase their athletic prowess through an outdoor obstacle course, cheered on by parents and guardians.
For those preferring indoor activities, the Sports and Civic Center offered a variety of food options and a selection of crafts and items for purchase.