(Posted April 1, 2003)

HUNTINGDON, Pa. -- Juniata College will host a free "Young Child" carnival for small children from newborns up to third-graders from 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday April 5 at the Intramural Gym in the Kennedy Sports and Recreation Center on the Juniata campus.

All children must be accompanied by a parent or a guardian or they cannot attend. The carnival, part of Juniata's Week of the Young Child activities, is sponsored by the Juniata College Community Service Board.

Visitors will get a chance to see and interact with Clifford the Big Red Dog, sponsored by WPSX- TV's Ready to Learn Program. Students from the student club Juniata Instructors of the Future also will help children with reading games. In addition, Vince and Larry, the Crash Test Dummies, will be on hand with car safety tips. Children and parents also can get lessons on car seat safety from Juniata student Nicole Lewis, a sophomore from Buck Hill Falls, Pa., who is a certified car seat safety technician.

"There will be all types of games and crafts," says Kelly Turlish, director of service learning and volunteer programs at Juniata College. "Age-appropriate activities and shows will be part of the event."

Students from the club Health Occupations Students of America will host an activity that stresses the importance of hand-washing. The Juniata football team also will host a sports activity. Other clubs activities include a lollipop tree, first-aid lessons and a fish pond.

For further information, please call Kelly Turlish at (814) 641-3365. Huntingdon-area agencies represented at the carnival include Big Brothers Big Sisters, CCIS, Huntingdon County Children Services, Family Health Services, Families R First, JC Blair Chip Program, Head Start and the SAFEKIDS coalition.

Refreshments include sno-cones, cotton candy and popcorn.

Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.