Youth Department offers fun events for children during Canal Fest week

The North Tonawanda Department of Youth, Recreation and Parks has announced its schedule of youth events during Canal Fest week. Once again the popular Canal Festimpics events will take place at Payne Park, where children compete in a week long series of events competing for medals.

Each medal will be designated a point value (first place equals three points, second place equals two points, and third place equals one point). At the end of the week long series of events, each participants point total will be tallied and the person with the highest total will be presented with a prize on the Canal Main Stage at Gateway Harbor at noon Friday, July 20.

Children will participate within the following designated age groups: 4 to 5 years old, 6 to 7 years old, 8 to 10 years old, 11 to 13 years old, and 14 to 16 years old.

Monday’s events include the Frisbee Toss, Long Distance Kickball, Potato Sack Race, Obstacle Course, and Bucket Ball. Tuesday’s events include Target Toss, Crab Walk Race, Wiffleball Hitters challenge, Grizzly Run and Rockin’ Rollerama; and Thursday’s events include Water Bucket Fill-Up, Super Soaker Sniper, Pie Eating Contest, Biggest Splash, Underwater Swim and Water Balloon Toss.

For a full schedule of event times and descriptions log onto www.canalfest.org.

Other notable youth events for children include the Goldfish Dive, which will take place from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday, July 18 at the Raindrop Pool located at Payne Park. For this event children ages 10 and under will be welcome into the Raindrop Pool to catch and take home one of a thousand small goldfish that are set free in the Raindrop Pool.

Later in the day youth ages 8 to 16 can partake in a Fishing Tournament from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Canal near the intersection of Sweeney Street and Oliver Street. Prizes are awarded for most fish caught, and biggest fish caught. Participants are required to bring their own pole and bait, and must register at the sign-in table prior to beginning the tournament.

Finally, on Friday July 20 youth have the opportunity to show off their talent on the Canal Main Stage at Gateway Harbor for the TNT’s Got Talent Show which begins at noon for 6 to 10 year olds and 1:30 p.m. for 11 to 16 year olds.

Registration for the event is free, and must be done by 9 a.m. Friday, July 20 by calling 695-8520 ext. 5510 or emailing adomaradzki.recreation@yahoo.com.

For more information on any of the events call the Recreation Department at 695-8520 or log onto the youth website at www.ntyouthcenter.webs.com.