Children enjoyed the splash pad in Greenfield earlier this year. The Kathy Dowling Aquatic Center, which features a pool and slides, has free swim time every Sunday.
Daily Reporter file photo
HANCOCK COUNTY – Local kids don’t have to go far to enjoy free activities this summer.
Hancock County offers several opportunities for children to enjoy summer freebies at local festivals, parks and libraries.
Here’s a glance of a few ways to keep busy over the next few months:
-Dress like a superhero and head to downtown Greenfield June 15, when the Superhero 5K and Kids’ Dash returns to the Hancock County Courthouse Plaza. While the event is a fundraiser for Hancock4Kids, the Kids’ Dash is free for children up to age 10. To learn more and to register, visit facebook.com/H4K5K or hancock4kids.org.
– Farming, food and fun is on the horizon June 18-28 in the annual Hancock County 4-H Fair. The new 10-day schedule features a carnival the first five days and animal festivities the second half. Several shows, musical groups, animal meet-and-greets, a parade and more will be free throughout the event; visit yourhancockfairgrounds.com for updates and details.
-Capture Big Foot, interact with dinosaur puppets, or join a story time through summer reading programs at Hancock County’s community libraries. All three local libraries offer prizes for logging reading throughout the summer. The Hancock County Public Library in Greenfield and New Palestine offers free family performances are on Mondays in June, including puppeteers, animal shows and theater performances. Both libraries also offer story times for young children, programs for elementary-aged students and special challenges for teens; visit hcplibrary.org for more. In Fortville, the Vernon Township Public Library will have a tie dye event, Taylor Swift singalong, wilderness survival course, family games and more. For dates, times and to sign up, visit vtpl.lib.in.us.
-The Summer Movie Series hosted by Greenfield Parks and Recreation is on select Saturdays at various parks, offering family-friendly free movies outdoors. The first event is July 27 at Depot Street Park. A water-themed classic animated movie is Aug. 3 at the Kathy Dowling Aquatic Center. Depot Street Park will host movies Aug. 24, Sept. 27 and Sept. 28. A Halloween-themed family movie will be shown Oct. 19 at the H.J. Ricks Centre for the Arts in downtown Greenfield. Most movies start at 8 p.m.; to view more details and movie names, visit facebook.com/greenfieldparks/events.
–Community festivals are located in all corners of the county and offer kids free activities. Coming up are Summer Fest in New Palestine June 21-22; Party in the Park in McCordsville June 29; Fortville Summerfest July 13; and the Pennsy Trail Art Fair and Musical Festival July 27.
– Hancock County Community Night is a free family event from 5-8 p.m. July 17 at the Hancock County Fairgrounds. Meet public safety officials, chat with non-profit organizations, grab free school supplies, have your child’s car seat checked and play on bounce houses right before school starts again for the new year. Visit facebook.com/HancockCountyCommunityNight for updates.
-The Summer Family Flicks Series offers free animated movies at 10 a.m. on Wednesday and Thursday mornings from June 5-Aug. 8. Movies are at VIP Legacy 9 at 2347 W. Main St., Greenfield. Visit vipcinemas.com/vip-legacy-9 for movie titles and details.
–Planet Fitness in Greenfield offers a free summer pass for teens ages 14-19. The business is located at 1707 Melody Lane, Greenfield; register online or in person.
-Cool off for free with the splash pad located at Riley Park in Greenfield. While admission into the pool area is generally required, the Kathy Dowling Aquatic Center offers free swimming from 5-7 p.m. every Sunday.
–Breakfast and lunch are available for free for children throughout this summer at several Greenfield sites.
From now through July 24, anyone 18 years and younger can eat meals free of charge every weekday.
Sites are: Greenfield-Central High School (Door 14) weekdays from 7:30-8:30 a.m. for breakfast and 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. for lunch; Greenfield-Central Junior High School (Door 11), weekdays from 7:30-8:30 a.m. for breakfast and 11 a.m. to noon for lunch; and the splash pad at Riley Park for lunch only, from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. weekdays. No meals are served on July 4.
