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E-911 Children’s Fun Festival
Once again, the Habersham County E-911 Children's Fun Festival was wildly popular, providing for many children and adults a first chance to show off Halloween costumes and collect candy.
The 13th annual festival, held Thursday, Oct. 24, saw more than 100 indoor and outdoor vendors, Habersham County E-911 Director Lynn Smith told The Northeast Georgian. Smith said law enforcement estimates are that 10,000 people walked through the Habersham County Fairgrounds.
Smith said the festival has grown every year. The venue was changed from the E-911 center parking lot to the fairgrounds some years ago, and if it continues to grow, she’s not sure where it could go.
“We had around 8,500 last year,” Smith said. “I don’t know where we’re going to put people if it keeps getting bigger. … It’s become such a large community event, we feel obligated to do it, and we’re thankful we can do it.”
Smith explained that the festival began as a way to familiarize the community with what 911 was.
“We started it 13 years ago, to let the community know who we are and what we are, and that 911 is here, 24/7,” she said. “We wanted them to be familiar with us and not be scared, especially the small children.”
She said the festival is “all strictly volunteer.”
“We don’t charge for anything, and we don’t allow vendors who want to charge,” she said.
The festival featured a variety of stations, including safety demos, a big truck children could climb on, a dunk tank, a DJ, wrestling demonstrations, face painting and a hayride, as well as public safety agencies, women’s groups, costumed mascots, businesses and many more handing out lots of candy to the costumed children.
Smith thanked the community, especially the public safety sector, and local businesses for their support.
“It’s amazing how it all comes together in the end,” she said.