Event planned to celebrate responsible fatherhood month
COSHOCTON – June is responsible fatherhood month in Ohio and the Coshocton County Fatherhood Initiative is celebrating with a new special activity.
The Responsible Fatherhood Event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 17 at Kids America. Admission is free, but donation containers will be set out if anyone wishes to make a contribution.
“I just received a copy of a resolution from the governor stating that June is a celebration of positive fathering and parenting and a time to showcase providers who help spread the importance of the crucial role of fathers,” said William Johnson, from the fatherhood initiative.
The fatherhood initiative typically celebrates fathers with a pool party during the summer, but they wanted to do even more this summer.
“The pool party is still in effect, but since the whole month of June is responsible fatherhood month we wanted to bring more awareness,” Johnson said. “Dads can come with kids or the whole family can come.”
Featured at the event will be keynote speaker Cie Grant, who played football for The Ohio State University and is famous for singing “Carmen Ohio.” He will speak sometime between 10 and 10:30 a.m. and agreed to sign autographs for people and sing if the crowd wants him to.
“He’s very big on positive father involvement and interaction,” Johnson said.
There is much more to the event though than Grant’s speech.
There will be information on family wellness including nutrition and different types of insurance, the Coshocton County Sheriff’s Office k-9s and their handlers will be there to talk about drug awareness, the National Guard will set up its obstacle course for kids and dads to run through, Boy Scouts are doing an archery set up and there will be a karate demonstration by McFarland’s Martial Arts. Auer Ace Hardware will do demonstrations with radio controlled helicopters and drones, there will be games for kids and their dads to play together plus dads can learn how to whip up easy meals from a demonstration by Chef Mike Cichon.
Kraft Foods donated hot dogs to the event and Johnson said food will be available until it runs out.
“We want to showcase the necessity of fathers and being responsible and more proactive and interactive with their children,” Johnson said. “Dads need to talk to their kids, ask them how school is going and not just leave things up to mom or the guardian.”
This month dads and their children also can enjoy a pool party from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 21 at Lake Park Aquatic Center. Admission to this fatherhood imitative event is $1 per person.
Category: People & Places
