As a way to promote a healthy lifestyle for families, GrowSmart is pleased to be bringing back the Celebrating Children event for the first time since the start of the pandemic. We invite families to join us for a morning filled with kid-friendly activities and parent information and resources.
Celebrating Children, like other GrowSmart events and programming, is geared towards families with children 0-8 year old but older siblings and relatives are also welcome to participate!
Celebrating Children will take place on Saturday, April 30th from 8:30am until noon at Mount Trashmore Park in Virginia Beach.
NOTHING! This event is 100% free of charge and open to the public thanks to the generous support of our corporate sponsors, Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation, and GrowSmart- the City of Virginia Beach's early childhood education initiative.
No problem! Keep scrolling to find out more about the event's programming.
Click below to register for the Fun Run. Although this event is 100% free and open to all families, we ask that you register in advance for the run so we can reserve a race packet for you/your children. You can pick up this packet when you arrive at Mount Trashmore on April 30. The packet includes a race bib with safety pins, an event map, and some goodies in a drawstring bag.
Celebrating Children typically attracts 1,000+ people who are interested in participating in a 1-mile walk/run around Mount Trashmore, enjoy live entertainment and amusements, and visit resource booths where community organizations will be showcasing their programs and services available to families.
Every Fun Run Participant will receive a medal!
Our family-friendly event will also highlight Child Abuse Prevention Month & Month of the Military Child.
Music by Astro DJ's and 94.9 Radio personality Devin will be onsite!!
In addition to the Fun Run, you can expect to find the event:
Parents can expect to find on-site resources and information regarding:
This event is presented by GrowSmart, in collaboration with Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation, and is 100% free to the public thanks to our sponsors.
GrowSmart looks forward to welcoming families to its 2022 Celebrating Children event! Below is the event schedule:
8:30 AM - Race Registration/Packet Pickup Begins
9:00 AM - Children's Activities/Stage DJ
9:15 AM - Race Warm Up & Welcome
9:30 AM - Race Start: Ages 5 & Up
9:45 AM - Race Start: Ages 4 & Under/Strollers
10:00 AM - Children's Activities/Exhibitors
12:00 PM - Event Ends
The event will come to an end around noon but families are welcome to stay and enjoy the amenities of Mount Trashmore Park, which features numerous picnic shelters, playgrounds, volleyball courts, skate park, a shared-use path, outdoor fitness stations and a boardwalk.
Please note that public restrooms and free, onsite parking are available!
If you would like to get involved, GrowSmart is still looking for volunteers to help with the event! Sign up below and we will be in touch with you shortly to discuss all the different ways you can make a difference in ensuring we have a successful event!