Kids' Fair combines fun, community resources

NORRISTOWN, Pa. (WLVT) - The 11^th annual Kids’ Fair at Elmwood Park Zoo brought the Norristown-area community together for an evening of fun and community resources on Aug. 22.

“No one gets out and socializes anymore,” said Dee Val, Norristown resident and mom of 11-year-old Braheem and Asahd. “So if you have stuff like this for free, people get out and see everything.

About 2,000 people—mostly families—thronged to the free event, where they could get their faces painted, eat Philly pretzels and water ice, and of course, see the animals. But while it was all about fun for the kids, dozens of community organizations were also there to offer resources to parents.

“It’s a great opportunity for people to come, and as you see, get good information about everything from literacy to healthcare, fraud protection or identity theft protection,” said State Sen. Daylin Leach, (D) PA 17^th District.

Families could pick up free bike helmets and brochures on afterschool programs.

“Some coloring books for the kids, information on bike safety, first aid,” Val said.

State Sen. Leach’s office puts on the Kids’ Fair, which he said was a great way to draw in families and connect them to resources they may not have even known existed.

“You would think with Google it would be so easy, but people have questions and a sterile website doesn’t often tell you everything you need to know,” said Leach. “Here there are human beings, believe it or not, that you can interact with and ask questions and learn things.”

Volunteers added it also helped their agencies with outreach in the community.

“The animals are really fun, and it’s actually my first time volunteering with my mom,” said Sumbul Khursheed, who was handing out pretzels courtesy of Suburban Community Hospital.

The weather held out for the fair, rounding out the positive evening of fun and community.

“There’s always new and interesting and exciting people who are coming here,” said Leach. “It’s a bigger event every year. Hopefully for years to come, we’ll be able to provide the community with this sort of fun.”