18th Annual Stand for Children Day Gets an Added Bike Element This Year
May 15, 2019
The 18th annual Stand for Children Day, a celebration of youth mixed with a message of safety and fun, returns to Peaceful Valley Park on Saturday.
Activities will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. New this year will be a Family Bike Safety Ride sponsored by Antigo Optimist Club and Antigo Bike and Ski Club starting at noon.
Optimist and Bike and Ski Club volunteers will be on hand to do minor maintenance on bikes and lead groups of bikers on the city trails, learning about bike safety on the way. Since riding out of driveways and safely crossing intersections are primary causes of bike accidents, the city trails provide a perfect venue for teaching those skills and more while enjoying the ride.
The first 100 youth participating in the Safety Ride will receive a free bike bell, installed by Optimist/Bike and Ski Club volunteers and donated by Roger Fuller CPA and Dr. Todd and Linda Hendrickson.
Optimist Tonya McKenna Trabant on right and son Egan on left pose with
some photo volunteers in advance of Saturday’s ride as part of Stand for Children’s Day.
Families are encouraged to bring or ride their bikes to the Warming House in Peaceful Valley Park on Field Street to begin the ride to the fairgrounds and return to the park.
Adults must accompany the youth during the ride. Everyone on the bike ride must wear a safety helmet and register before the ride to receive a free bike bell.
There’s much more on the day’s docket as well, including an 11:30 a.m. performance by Tom Pease, sponsored by CoVantage Credit union.
There will also be programs on car seat, fire house, and child safety; a chance to make tie-dyed T-shirts; the Wisconsin Army National Guard obstacle course; and “The Incredible World of Raptors” hosted by Raptor Education Group Inc.
Special Olympics is offering an introduction to the young athletes program and the Antigo school district will focus on “Ready to Succeed.”
There will be free food and beverages, including ice cream and water.
The long list of sponsors includes school and community organizations along with local businesses.