Monday, May 11, 2009

Free family-friendly events galore at Ber Juan Park

If you haven’t already made plans for today, May 9, you may consider attending one of the friendly-family events planned for the “Free Play Day” in beautiful Ber Juan Park. Numerous activities and events are planned throughout the day at the ball fields, tennis courts and other areas throughout the 100-acre park.

The first event begins with the 5th Annual Youth Fishing Fair from 8 a.m. to 12-noon at Ber Juan Lake behind The Centre, Rolla’s Health and Recreation Complex. Every child fishing will receive a free goodie bag and the first 50 kids (ages 6-12) to register will receive a free gift. In addition to free fishing, the day will feature good food, prize drawings and fun contests, including a casting contest which begins at 10 a.m.

A Children’s Art and Wellness Fair will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 12-noon at The Centre (1200 N. Holloway Street); along with a Tennis Block Party at the Ber Juan Tennis Complex (corner of 14th and Holloway Streets) from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and relays, games, and disc golf all over the park from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Rolla Optimist Club will provide free hot dogs and drinks from 10 a.m. to 12-noon.

The ‘Play Day’ is being hosted through a partnership among the City of Rolla’s Parks and Recreation Department, The Centre, Phelps County Community Partnership, Missouri Department of Conservation, Rolla Optimist Club, Key Sport, and PCCAN. For more information, please contact Kristy Rich at 341-2386.

For those of you who like to recycle we encourage you to dispose of your old computers, appliances and tires today, May 9 from 8 a.m. to 12-noon at the Brewer Science, Inc. Parking Lot (2401 Brewer Drive), located in the Hypoint Industrial Park at I-44, Exit 189/Hwy. V.

The fee for tire disposal is $1.50 each (passenger); $5 each (truck) and $10 each (tractor). The fee for TVs is $10 each and $5 each for computer monitors. The disposal of the following items are free: stoves, refrigerators, washers, dryers, microwaves, computer CPUs, keyboards, printers, VCRs, cell phones and other electronics and appliances. We only ask that you unload the items yourself to help expedite the deliveries. This event is jointly sponsored by the City of Rolla, Phelps County Commission, Brewer Science, Inc., Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District, the Missouri Department of Natural Resource and Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC). If you have any questions, please call MRPC at (573) 265-2993.

Another family-fun day, Public Works Celebration Day, is just around the corner next Saturday, May 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the City’s Downtown Festival Park– rain or shine. In addition to free brochures, coloring books, balloons, stickers and comic books, there will also be an inflatable playground for children. Free hotdogs, popcorn and soda will also be provided. For more information, please call the Public Works Department at (573) 364-8659.

Spring is one of the busiest times in the Rolla/St. James area with Rolla’s Route 66 Summerfest just around the bend on June 4, 5 and 6. For a list of all the events planned for Summerfest visit www.route66summerfest.com. And don’t forget to mark your calendar for the Tour of Missouri international cycling race Sept. 7-13. Rolla will host the Stage 3 Finish on Wednesday, Sept. 9 between 3:45 p.m. and 4:45 p.m. and St. James will host the Stage 4 Start the next day on Sept. 10 at 2 p.m. For more info, please visit www.tourofmissouri.com.

Mayor Bill Jenks, III

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