Published: August 03, 2008 10:31 am      

Fiesta fills park

Sponsored by the Stephens County Health Department

DUNCAN — The scorching temperatures Saturday were no fun, but from the happy sounds emanating from Fiesta in Fuqua at Fuqua Park, there were plenty of activities to enjoy, anyway.

Thousands of people turned out for free back-to-school immunizations, dental screenings, Kiddieland rides, hot dogs and soft drinks and a variety of other activities aimed at keeping the dog days of summer at bay and preparing for the coming school year.

Sponsored by the Stephens County Health Department with assistance from organizations and volunteers from throughout the community, the theme for the event was “Immunize and Exercise,” and that’s exactly what happened for three hours Saturday morning.

Dawn Price of the Health Department, who organized the event, was jubilant.

“We had an excellent turnout. I couldn’t have asked for better. We had 3,500 people come out last year, and I’d say we had more than that this year. We definitely reached our goal.

“I think it is a little warmer this year than last year, but it hasn’t deterred them any.

“Immunize and exercise is what it’s all about. We want to educate kids and their parents on the importance of exercise. It’s all about prevention. Exercise can help prevent childhood obesity, and the immunizations we’re giving can help prevent childhood illnesses. Prevention and education in a fun way.”

And fun it was, as Price led a spirited “Cha-Cha Slide” dance and got the kids movin’ and groovin’ to the music.

While that was going on, youngsters were playing with Frisbees, tossing beach balls and softballs in a colorful parachute, racing tricycles and tiltin’ and whirlin’ at Kiddieland, among other activities.

New this year was a simulated rock wall provided by the Oklahoma National Guard. Youngsters quickly got the hang of climbing the tall gray structure studded with “rocks” and ringing the bell at the summit.

There were dental screenings for kids, child ID kits supplied by the Duncan Fire Department and 730 bags of supplies given out to school-age children who got their cards stamped at the various activities.

Volunteers from the Mullins Baptist Association had their disaster relief trailer set up to feed the crowd, but it was no disaster. In fact, the hot dogs and lemonade were so sought-after that a spokesperson for the MBA said they had started feeding at 9 a.m. instead of the planned 10:30 a.m. By 11:20 a.m., the majority of the 2,500 hot dogs were gone, and the rest would be given away before the event ended at noon.

“And we’re still doing it with a smile!” he said.

And they did seem to be enjoying it, as one volunteer quipped to another, “Hey, you’ve got more mustard on yourself than on the hot dogs.”

Perhaps the most popular offering on the hot day was the cold lemonade, with more than 4,000 glasses served by midmorning.

Jessenia Garcia, 12, who attended the event with her family, said the lemonade was among her favorite parts of the day, but the Duncan Middle School student also enjoyed the games and Kiddieland rides, especially the Tilt-A-Whirl.

Shannon Garcia, 9, a student at Woodrow Wilson, said she had attended last year’s festival, but this year’s was more fun.

Their family was just one of hundreds milling around Fuqua Park — it was, after all, a family event, designed to bring families closer together and give them a fun end-of-summer activity they could do together, Price said.