Mayfest receives May showers, but warmth of community cooperation

The campus was filled with a variety of fun children’s activities led by students in Associate Professor Ariane Schratter’s child development class, Bonner Scholars and students in the college’s American Humanics nonprofit management program.

There were face painting, arts and crafts, child safety kits, a moon bounce and inflatable obstacle course for children, musical entertainment, karaoke, and door prizes.

And rain. Although the rain held off several of the planned activities, the crowd was not disheartened. "MayFest is a time to come together in celebration of children and their families, and to strengthen our community by simply enjoying each other’s
company," said Dr. Billy Newton, director of the Center for Strong Communities at Maryville College, in a press release.

The event is part of the Children’s Advocacy Center’s "Making Families Strong and Free" prevention program. New Hope’s executive director Trudy Hughes, said MayFest and other upcoming activities are designed to assist all families in doing the very best they can to encourage and enhance the successful development of their children.

Sponsors for MayFest 2007 included Alcoa Wal-Mart, Murlin’s Music, Aramark, Foothills Cinema, ThunderWorld USA, Mr. Gatti’s Pizza, Hastings and K-B Toys.