Fun in the sun

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LEWISTOWN - Sugar cookie anyone? Flocks of children and their parents filled the streets of downtown Lewistown on Saturday to enjoy the many activities as they celebrated the 28th annual Kid Connection.

Hannah Moore, a senior at Lewistown High School, was volunteering her time at the infamous "sugar cookie" booth.

"Everyone rushes to this stand," Moore said.

An essential staple to the annual festivities, kids are given a sugar cookie and allowed a chance to "paint" colored frosting on the top. Moore said she believes the sugar cookies are the most popular item each year at Kid Connection.

"I had some parents say their kids didn't want apples, they didn't want graham crackers, they wanted cookies," Moore said of the treat.

The kids weren't the only ones eating the cookies.

Kid Connection Chairwoman Candy Ciecierski admitted she had a sweet tooth when it came to the sugary confections.

"I always loved the cookies. I still have to make a cookie every year," she said.

And when it came to this year's success, Ciecierski was every bit as surprised.

"It's a great turnout - it's better than we expected," she added.

The activities available for the youth ranged from face painting to sand art, to a bean bag toss where partakers get a bouncy ball just for participating.

Children could also create their own "sippy cups," produce their own pet rocks and beads, plant their own flower or bounce around on the Moon Bounce.

Indian Valley cheerleaders Alex Sheetz, of Reedsville, and Keyona Wagner, of Milroy, both stated they enjoyed "walking around with friends" for a majority of the day.

"I go every year with my friends," Sheetz said.

Five-year-old twins Chassy and Garrett Woods, of McVeytown, came to Kid Connection with their mom, Kathy Woods, as they ventured through the crowded streets of downtown Lewistown.

"It's just something fun to do with them," Kathy Woods said.

And what was the twins' favorite part of the day?

"It's fun," said Chassy Woods about her time spent at Kid Connection.

Her brother, on the other hand, had other reasons.

"I came to see the race cars and fire trucks," Garrett Woods.