Shawn Nowlin shawn.nowlin@ourvalley.org
Ever since she became the Tourism and Event Coordinator for Roanoke County, Wendi Schultz has made it a point of emphasis to promote and coordinate family fun events.
Last Saturday, February 4, the Roanoke County Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism and the Roanoke County Department of Economic Development worked together to put on the 18th Annual Tons of Fun event which took place at Tanglewood Mall.
“Today we have a fabulous and fun filled day for everyone. We have over sixty different activities, performances, rides and crafts,” Schultz said. “Every business or organization that we invite must have a children’s activity that is preapproved by us. We don’t want the same thing. We want a wide variety of activities.”
James Andrews only loves two things more than rooting for his favorite sports teams, and he recently got to do both at the Tons of Fun event: spend quality time with his extended family and put a smile on his daughter’s face. “We are all having a great time,” James said after losing a race to his daughter. “It’s moments like this that I get to cherish for a lifetime.”
Attendees were treated to a variety of performers: the Blue Ridge Mountain Cloggers, Art in Motion Dance Center and the Southernettes Baton Corp. While her two younger sisters were enjoying the Clappers, fifteen-year-old Madison St. Clair decided to look at a couple of animals. For some, the thought of having a snake placed on their neck would freak them out. Others like Madison don’t mind at all. “When I grow up I want to be a herpetologist,” she said. “I couldn’t help but laugh at the all of the men who were too afraid to even touch a snake.”
For the first time, mini-workshops were available to give hands-on instructional fun. “I learned how to investigate reptiles and plant a pepper,” one attendee said. “I was also really impressed with how Mark Fuller captivated the audience with his magic show.” Another added: “Seeing the Salem Red Sox and Pulaski Yankees mascot was my favorite part today”.
“In the very beginning this was a very small event. Just a couple of groups. Now we have over sixty organizations and businesses that participate,” Wendy Schultz said. “If folks missed it this year, they certainly need to make it next year. It’s always the first Saturday in February and it’s totally free.”
