Staff from McKinley and Wilson Schools gather with their respective mascots at the start of the first ever McKinley and Wilson Health and Wellness Street Fair. Pictured left to right: Sarah Moore, Ramsey the Ram, Wilson School Principal Dr. Joan Schumann, McKinley School Principal Rhiannon Treat, McMally the Mallard, and Shannon McCamy. 

GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - The small section of Vermont street between Sycamore and Magnolia Streets in Gridley was packed the evening of April 16, as students and families came out for the inaugural McKinley and Wilson School Children’s Health and Wellness Street Fair.

Hosted by Butte County Office of Education, McKinley and Wilson Schools and many other partners, the event provided a plethora of activities, performances, and resources for families to enjoy.

Traditional Mexican dancers treated the crowd to their beautiful choreography. Some of the performers were even students at McKinley and Wilson.

Students signed in at the Sycamore Street entrance and received a punch card that encouraged them to visit each booth. If they filled their card, they could be entered into a raffle to win a prize basket, games, or even a bike and helmet.

The street fair was filled with booths offering health screenings and educational resources, learning lessons, kids’ activities and more.

Butte County’s mobile library was present, allowing students to tour the inside of the bus and take a free book from their shelves. Their literacy services travel to over 40 different schools throughout the county.

Arika Elderkin of McKinley school manned a play area with large lawn games such as checkers. She explained that play helps with organizational and planning skills. Elderkin shared with the Herald that the executive function skills learned through play can benefit students as they move through the educational system, especially those with ADHD.

Volunteers at the Calfresh booth made fresh blueberry smoothies and handed them out to guests. Kiddos were given a sticker and the opportunity to place cast their vote on whether the smoothies were “Yum” or “Not Yummy”. A host of colorful stickers at the end of the night proved the smoothies were definitely yummy!

Butte County Office of Education had multiple booths, featuring sensory bins, coloring booths that focused on mental wellbeing, and more. The Wilson School Garden booth provided students the opportunity to plant or take-home seeds, learning about healthy food, while recipes and samples of smoothies and trail mix were provided to guests by CalFresh.

Performances by Baila Folklorico, Mexican folklore dancers, was one of the first performances of the event. Guests turned their attention to the main stage area where dancers spun in brightly colored, ruffled traditional dresses. Wilson Schools Principal Dr. Joan Schumann says that this was a special event because many of the performers were students at both McKinley and Wilson but hadn’t had the opportunity to perform at their school yet.

The Ochoa family came out and had a blast at the event. Pictured left to right: Luis Ochoa, Maria Ochoa, Selena Ochoa, Karina Ochoa, Nicole Ochoa, and Araceli Ochoa. 

The Health and Wellness Street Fair was excited to have the dancers perform and part of the school’s effort to improve Latino parent engagement. There were also Ju Jit Su demonstrations and of course, the prize raffle. The coveted new bike and helmet went to Rosie McDowell, a McKinley student.

The event was well attended and both McKinley School Principal Rhiannon Treat and Wilson Schools Principal Dr. Schumann agree that it will return next year.