Youth Day draws hundreds to Pepin Park

Hundreds of children, parents and day-care providers flocked to Pepin Park on Wednesday for a day of fun and education.

"It's just gotten bigger quickly," said Al Vukasin, president of Bear Paw Credit Union.

This is the second year Bear Paw Credit Union and the Havre Parks and Recreation Department have sponsored Youth Day at Pepin Park.

"It all revolves around child safety," Vukasin said, adding that bicycle safety was this year's theme.

Food, shaded tables and many free games were available.

Children stood in lines to try their luck at a timed basketball free-throw game, a fishing game, and a version of musical chairs with numbered spaces instead of chairs at the park pavilion. They also threw footballs through tires that make up a climbing wall on the park's playground equipment.

Several businesses and organizations participated in the event, including Havre Police Department officers on patrol bicycles who were teaching bike safety. Bear Paw Credit Union and Northern Montana Health Care donated 150 bike helmets to be given away.

The U.S. Border Patrol landed a helicopter at the park, and the Havre Fire Department brought a firetruck and ambulance for the children to tour.

The Boys & Girls Club of the Hi-Line provided the games, said Kristina Perry, marketing specialist at Bear Paw.

The Hill County Extension Office set up a table to distribute information about nutrition.