SBCPRD Summer Campers raise $1,400 for ADA

On Friday, July 13, almost 200 Statesboro-Bulloch County Parks & Recreation Department (SBCPRD) summer campers gathered at Mill Creek Park to participate in a Walk for Diabetes.

The walk ended a week of fundraising projects that raised $1,400 for the American Diabetes Association (ADA). Campers, ranging in age from 4 to 11, sold awareness bracelets, raised money individually and participated in “Coins for a Cure”.

“Coins for a Cure,” a contest in which campers placed coins in their favorite camp staff member’s collection jar, was by far the most popular fundraiser. The staff members with the most coins in their jars got a pie in the face on Friday from campers who raised the most money.

“I was overwhelmed with the involvement of our children in this type of event,” said Joy Deal, SBCPRD Summer Camp Program Supervisor. “They were so proud of the coins they brought in and were excited about getting to hit their favorite staff person with a pie!”

Maria Center, Director of the local ADA chapter, called the campers’ fundraising efforts “awesome.” Top fundraisers were Shaye Strickland, $120; John Paul Stanfield, $105; Elizabeth Allen, $75; and Elizabeth Diamand-Uros, $50.

In addition to their efforts for the ADA this week, campers also participated in recycling and clean-up efforts to learn about the importance of being involved in their community.

“This week, our children learned about community support through our recycling and clean-up activities,” Deal said. “Who knew kids could clean up their school grounds so willingly! This was a really different week of camp, and the kids really were involved and made it a fun week.”

Thousands turn out to celebrate the 4th at Mill Creek
The 2007 Firecracker Fest at Mill Creek Park was a huge success! Thousands of people came out to enjoy music, games, contests and a fabulous fireworks show!

To see photos and contest winners from the event, click here.

News Coverage:
Bulloch Headline News
Statesboro Herald

2007 Firecracker Fest to celebrate the 4th with a bang
The Statesboro-Bulloch County Parks and Recreation Department (SBCPRD) and Sea Island Bank will proudly present the 2007 Firecracker Fest at Mill Creek Regional Park in Statesboro on Wednesday, July 4, from 4-11pm.

“The Firecracker Fest is a great event for people of all ages in our community,” Chad Avret, Operations Division Manager for SBCPRD, said. “We are happy to carry on this Statesboro tradition with the help of Sea Island Bank and our other sponsors.”

The free event will kick off with amusement games and inflatables for the kids, a rock climbing wall, bungee jumping and tunes by Jammin’ J all on Field 2. Starting at 5:30pm, there will be contests for the competitor in your family including the frog jump contest, greased pole climb and the baseball/softball skills contest.

Statesboro Karate and the ATA Blackbelt Academy will be on hand to present this year’s exciting community exhibitions from 6-8pm on Field 2.

At 7pm on Field 2, festival goers will have a chance to cheer on the undefeated Subway Sub Eating Contest champion as he takes on nine challengers in the 2007 contest.

Music for the evening will be provided by The Variations from 4-7pm on Field 1. The Variations have been performing around the Southeast for many years and can play anything from the oldies to new country, rock, beach music and more!

The Statesboro Blues Band will take the main stage from 7:30-11pm with their full rhythm and blues style, centered on music featuring multiple vocalists, flashy horns and unique sounds. From Motown, R&B and Rock & Roll to Blues, Jazz and Funk, the Statesboro Blues Band covers a variety of music that defined a generation and is sure to get you up and dancing!

The festival wouldn’t be complete without a dazzling fireworks display to end the night, sponsored in part by Briggs & Stratton. The show will begin around 9pm and will be set to music and simulcast on AM 1240.

The Firecracker Fest has been a Statesboro tradition for many years, and it would not be possible without the generous support of sponsors from our community. Sea Island Bank has been the title sponsor of the event for 14 years and was the sole sponsor of the 2007 Firecracker Fest drawing contest: America—Where Eagles Soar. Additional event sponsors are Briggs & Stratton, Georgia Southern University, Kiwanis Club of Statesboro, Subway, Brodie Meter, Coca-Cola, Allgood Pest Solutions and Amerigroup.

For more information on the 2007 Firecracker Festival, please call (912) 764-5637 or click here.

America--Where Eagles Soar Drawing Contest Winners Announced

Sea Island Bank and the Statesboro-Bulloch County Parks and Recreation Department (SBCPRD) announced the winners of the America--Where Eagles Soar drawing contest Thursday, June 21, at a reception hosted by the bank.

The Overall Winner of the 2007 contest is MiKayla Crawford, a 5th grader at Nevils Elementary School. MiKayla won $100, a Sea Island Bank t-shirt and four daily passes to Splash in the Boro. In addition to these prizes, MiKayla's drawing will be featured on a billboard at Sea Island Bank as well as on t-shirts and other promotional items for the 2007 Firecracker Fest that will be held July 4 at Mill Creek Park.

The Second Place Overall winner in the contest is Alexandra Littles, a 3rd grader at Mattie Lively Elementary School. She won $50, a Sea Island Bank t-shirt and one daily pass to Splash in the Boro.

The Third Place Overall winner is Jacob Ferrell, a 1st grader at Mill Creek Elementary School. He won $25, a Sea Island Bank t-shirt and one daily pass to Splash in the Boro.

In addition to the three overall winners, first, second and third place winners were chosen from each grade level. Three drawings from each grade level were also chosen Most Colorful, Most Patriotic and Most Creative. Each winner received a prize pack from Sea Island Bank.

First place winners in kindergarten through fifth grade were Caroline Mitchell, kindergartner at Brooklet Elementary; Jacob Ferrell, 1st grader at Mill Creek Elementary (also 3rd Place Overall); Brandon Freeland, 2nd grader at Mill Creek Elementary; Austin Jones, 3rd grader at Julia P. Bryant Elementary; Samantha Goodman, 4th grader at Nevils Elementary; and MiKayla Crawford, 5th grader at Nevils Elementary (also the Overall Winner).

These winners were chosen from over 400 entries in the 2007 contest that were judged by community members, and the overall winners will be recognized at the Firecracker Fest. All winning artwork is currently on display at the Averitt Center for the Arts in downtown Statesboro.

The Firecracker Fest, sponsored by Sea Island Bank for 14 years, will be held Wednesday, July 4, from 4-11pm at Mill Creek Park in Statesboro. The popular event will include children's activities, games, community exhibitions, the Subway Sub Eating Contest and music from The Variations and The Statesboro Blues. The night will end with a spectacular fireworks display sponsored in part by Briggs & Stratton.

"Sea Island Bank is very excited to continue its support of the Firecracker Fest which has grown into one of the largest 4th of July celebrations in our state," Sea Island Bank President, Wayne Akins, said. "We look forward to joining our friends and neighbors for another great day of fun for the entire family."

To view the winning artwork and a complete list of winners, click here. For more information on the Firecracker Fest, click here or call (912) 764-5637.

Magic Marc to bring "Magication" to Splash in the Boro

On Wednesday, June 6, Magic Marc will film a live action magic show at Splash in the Boro family water park in Statesboro!  The show begins at 11:30am and will include amazing magic and illusions, live animals and plenty of audience participation.   Magic Marc’s shows feature his own brand of performance, known as “magication.” Magication is education through magic for children of all ages and is an effective way to make learning both fun and entertaining.

In addition to the magic show, Magic Marc will film a water safety show that will be full of surprises and special guests.  Park guests will also be able to enjoy singing, dancing and water trivia competitions hosted by Magic Marc from 10:30am to 2:30pm.  Kids will have a chance to sign up and win some great prizes in the competitions.

Magic Marc – real name Marc Dunston – is a native of Philadelphia but has lived in Savannah for several years.  He has been interested in and practicing magic since the age of 7.  His unique blend of humor, illusions and education has gained him nationwide popularity.  He has performed as an opening act for Bill Cosby and has done private magic parties for Denzel Washington, Spike Lee, Wesley Snipes and others. 

Though Dunston loves magic, his true devotion is children.  In his Magic Marc Show that airs Saturday mornings at 7:30am on WTOC, he says that each week, his aim is “to offer kids a safe place to get together, have fun and learn.”  For more information on Magic Marc, visit his Web site at www.magication.com.

To learn more about the June 6 magic and water safety shows at Splash in the Boro as well as summer park hours, pricing and events, call (912) 489-3000 or visit www.splashintheboro.com! This event is sponsored in part by the Statesboro Convention & Visitors Bureau.

SBCPRD Baseball player Brandyn Bradford makes headlines

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