By Brian McBride
Editor

What’s a good way to entertain the youth of Osceola County, while trying to raise $50,000 for local charities? Kid’s Fun Day.

The event will be Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the St. Cloud Civic Center, 3001 17th St., St. Cloud.

The second Kid’s Fun Day will be filled with a number of activities designed to entertain kids of all ages. They include the “world’s largest inflatable slide”, an obstacle course, bungee run, giant tricycle, moonwalks, face painting, balloon animals, exotic animal petting zoo and more, said Kissimmee Police Department Sgt. Norm Envall, who is helping to organize the event with St. Cloud Police Department officials.

“It’s a great community event,” Engvall said. “It’s truly for kids of all ages who can come out and have a great time.”

Cost for the event is $5 per person.

“This event is meant for families to be able to come out and enjoy the entire day and be able to do it at an affordable rate,” Envall said.

Added this year is an exotic animal show by world-renowned animal trainer Joel Slaven, Envall said.  Slaven is the animal trainer for SeaWorld and Busch Gardens and owns and operates Joe Slaven’s Professional Animals. He will bring in his exotic animals for two one-hour shows at noon and 2 p.m.

On display will be: camel, goats, sheep, alpaca, llama, African crested porcupine, marmosets, cotton top tamarin, tamandua, lemur, kangaroo, wallaby, macaws/cockatoos and a bush baby.

After the show, everyone is welcome to bring their cameras and take photos with the animals, Envall said.

The show is included with the entry fee.

There will be small additional fees for tank and helicopter rides, a dunk tank, games and food.

Event officials are trying to raise $50,000 to benefit four charities. They are Special Olympics Florida, The Children’s Advocacy Center of Osceola County and St. Cloud Cares and The Green Bag Project. The latter two are staffed with volunteers who through area churches raise money to purchase food in bulk. That food is then sent home with school children of less fortunate families for the weekend.

The event raised $41,000 last year.

“All funds raised get divided amongst these local charities,” Envall said.

Bracelets for the event can either be purchased at the door or at the Kissimmee or St. Cloud police departments. Envall said more than 200 people are expected.

Poker tournament, casino night

Later in the day at 3:30 p.m., there will be a Texas Hold’em Tournament and Casino Night at the Civic Center. It’s $50 per person for the tournament and $25 for the casino. Events include: poker tournament, black jack, craps, roulette, silent and live auctions and door prizes.

Envall noted that the police departments are not sponsoring the tournament and casino night. Proceeds also will benefit the charities.