GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Despite a blazing hot day, there was plenty fun in the sun for the local community last Thursday.

The Green Cove Springs’ Villiage Improvement Association, the Augusta Savage Arts and Community Center and the Green Cove Springs Citizens Advisory Board, partnered up and hosted their first “Fun in the Sun” for community members.

“We all partnered together to have a day, in the middle of the summer, for just kids to get out of the house and have fun,” said Cheri Starnes, chairman of the Citizens Advisory Board and Vice-Chair of the VIA.

After four months of planning, the morning of fun was officially showcased at the Augusta Savage Arts and Community Center and brought entertainment and togetherness for kids in the community. VIA President Larianne Stutts said the event aimed to get to know the youth better and create more fun opportunities for them to stay involved.

“We thought this was a good place because there are so many different programs, the gym, the AMI, they’re right around here. So, the children are familiar with the area,” Stutts said.

As music filled the grassy area, kids showcased their best dance moves and practiced their finest hula-hooping skills. Guests enjoyed free snacks and face painting. And, to help beat the heat, guests were also able to enjoy free-shaved ice from the local Hawaii FYVE-Sno food truck.

The event and outside festivities allowed guests to go inside and cool off while still enjoying the high spirits. Mother Goose made a special appearance inside the center, reading some of her popular nursery rhymes and inviting guests to reenact them.

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office and the Green Cove Springs Police Department allowed everyone to hop inside two police cars – one vintage and the other new. Guests were able to get a close-up view, take pictures, as well as hear the siren.

In addition to having fun, Starnes said another important goal of the day was to bring the local youth closer to county service members.

Starnes said it is common for kids to be afraid or not understand the necessity of police officers and firefighters. Starnes said that, with the help of these departments, the event could better show youth what the local community is doing for them.

“Those are things they see along the roadside, and it would be nice for them to kind of see, ‘Oh it’s not scary, it’s a good thing.’ So, we wanted to have that,” Starnes said.

Starnes said she hopes to add other vital county services next year. She said by involving these departments, she hopes children will see the good that comes from having them around.

“Those are things that kids just don’t realize, that they’re here. Our city workers give and give and give to our communities … we want the kids to not only see them on the side of the road when something bad [has] happened but also see them in the light of all the good things they do too,” Starnes said.

To finish off the day, The Clay County Fire Department arrived with a grand finale, showcasing a county fire truck and drenching guests with cool water. Hearty screams and sounds of laughter could be heard as kids ran around the park and through the drizzle.

For the future, Starnes said that ‘Fun in the Sun’ will be made into an annual event. For next year, she said there are some plans to double the size of the event. Starnes said there are ideas to include a sock hop dance, sack racing and water balloons.

“We weren’t sure what we would have this year because it is the first annual. But, we would like to do it each year,” Starnes said.

Stutts said she was happy with the overall turnout at the event and hopes to continue providing support avenues for local youth.

“I hope that they see us as a resource when they need something and just want to know, ‘Oh yeah, that those ladies help us’. That’s what we want. We want them to see us as someone that’s there for them in this community,” Stutts said.