Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Despite the drastic change in weather, the fifth annual Kosciusko County Safety Festival was deemed extremely successful by founder, Shaunn Lybarger of the McDonalds Corporation.
Lybarger said she could not believe how much the event has grown over the past five years. The event was originally planned to be a McDonald's activity but as the event continued to grow, she knew it needed to be moved to a bigger facility.
The Safety Festival is meant to increase safety awareness for children and adults alike.
Representatives of area fire departments, police departments, Red Cross, YMCA and many others gave demonstrations for overall safety.
A rescue helicopter from Muskegon, Michigan, which was to be the main attraction of the festival, made a brief appearance before being called away to deal with reports of tornadoes to the north.
Throughout the five hour event, Andy McCleary, Warsaw Parks Department Activities Director, gave door prizes to the eager children.
In order to qualify for the prizes, the children signed up and then were required to visit at least four of the safety stations located inside the Center Lake Pavilion.
Coca-Cola donated a bicycle to the event and several other area restaurants and businesses also donated prizes. Winner of the bicycle was Joseph Clemmer. He also won a helmet, courtesy of the Indiana Safe Kids Program.
Darlene Eherenman, organizer for the event this year, said that it was a shame the helicopter had to be called away but she believed the event was successful.
There are plans to move the event next year from Friday to Saturday so that more adults can be present to participate.
