LANCASTER -- A local organization that thinks family time is an important component to the development of children will host an event on April 21 that is all about spending time together.
The Fairfield Association for the Education of Young Children is gearing up for its third annual Family Fun Fair at Rising Park in Lancaster.
From 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., attendees can make crafts, take dance lessons and play games -- all for free.
"It's a way to have families come together and do fun things together," said Cathy Crawford, president of the Fairfield AEYC. "We emphasis family time because it's so important."
The event will kick off the Week of the Young Child, which runs from April 22-28. The purpose of the week is to focus public attention on the needs of young children and their families and to recognize the early childhood programs and services that meet those needs.
"(The Week of the Young Child) always has a theme and this one is the 'Early Years are Learning Years'," Crawford said. "So this event is a preview of that week and the importance of those early years. If you don't do it right at the beginning, it's harder to fix it later on."
The Fairfield AEYC has been in existence since 1993 and is the local affiliate of the National Association for the Education of Young Children -- a professional organization that supports early childhood professionals who work with infants and children up to 8 years old. The organization also supports college students, university-level instructors and parents, among others.
Crawford said this is the third year for the Family Fun Fair, which is made possible with the help of more than 20 community partners. The 2011 event brought out about 280 children and parents and this year Crawford is shooting for 300 attendees.
"We want people to come prepared to have a good time," she said.
Among this year's community partners, which will have activity or information stations set up throughout the park, is Girl Scouts of America in the Heartland, Small Wonders Learning Center, the Fairfield County District Library, TNT Dance Team/Susan's Tap-n-Toe and more.
Activities include bracelet making, face painting, a prize wheel, balloon twisting, a hula hoop contest, tumbling, and pitch and catch with Fairfield Christian Academy's Girl's Softball Team.
In addition, Fairfield Medical Center's Fit Together program will host picnic games and Alan Christy of the Lancaster Children's Theater will offer a series of theater games.
"Alley Park is bringing some animals in cages for the children and one partner (LancasterParent.com) is making bird feeders," Crawford said. "So there will be things for families to do together and take home and then things for them to do while they're there."
Crawford said she's pleased so many community partners have come together this year. Without them, she said, the event would not be possible.
"It speaks well of the community when it pulls together for young children," she said. "It sends a message of what we value."
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