By SAVANNAH BARR

s.barr@bradfordera.com

Looking for an exciting way to entertain the kiddos this weekend?

Look no further than the 10th Annual Community Fest held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Bradford YMCA. The event will offer more than 50 vendors and free activities to delight children ages one to five. In addition to all the fun, parents can learn about important intervention services and safety tips to help their little ones thrive.

‘The main goal of Community Fest is to highlight the early intervention services that our county offers such as hearing screenings, vision and speech services,’ said Emily Rhoades, YMCA executive director. ‘We want to help parents identify if their kid needs these services and help them connect with vendors in the area.’

The event is a joint effort between the YMCA, McKean County Collaborative Board and more than 50 community organizations including ARG, Blaisdell Foundation, Bradford Vets Club, Church of the Ascension, Kiwanis Club and Fraternal Order of the Eagles.

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Kids at a previous YMCA Community Fest, the popular event formerly known as Kids’ Fest, had the opportunity to get their faces painted at one of the booths hosted in Bradford YMCA’s gymnasium. The event offered activities for children and resources for the adults.

Era file photo provides parents access to these resources but it also allows these vendors to have access to each other,” said Rhoades. “We aim to meet people where they are and help them live healthier lives through community engagement.”

The event is geared towards young children to make sure they are meeting critical milestones.

“Having screening completed on children between the ages of birth to five to make sure your child is meeting their developmental milestones is important,” said Amber Connor, one of the event’s organizers.

Getting support early on can help ensure that a child who is struggling can not only catch up to their peers but also live the highest quality of life possible.

“Without assessments, sometimes parents don’t realize that a child needs support until they hit grade school and begin struggling in the classroom,” said Rhoades. “With early intervention we can start preparing them earlier so they don’t have as many setbacks.”

Vendors will include Keystone Rural Health, Bradford Regional Medical Center, Evergreen Elm, Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services and WIC.

While the event is geared towards younger children, those of all ages will love the activities offered, including a petting zoo, bounce house and facepaint. The beloved Percy the Pony will make an appearance. Crafts and games will be provided by the IU9, and the Bradford City Fire Department will be bringing over a truck.

In addition to refreshments, there will be giveaways of free books, safety items and early childhood items.

“We are not only focused on the health aspect but also on safety tips for say, using the park, riding a bike, or when kids are in the water,” said Rhoades. “This is especially important as we get into the warmer months and people are spending more time outdoors.”