The Autumn Children's Festival Opening is delayed today until 2 p.m. due to the rain. The festival will run today from 2-6 p.m. Afternoon volunteers are encouraged to arrive at 1:30 p.m. at the Tennessee Riverpark. On Sunday, the festival will run from noon until 5 p.m.
The festival features activities for children of all ages including: carnival games with fun prizes, arts and crafts, pony rides, a petting zoo, face painting, Ronald McDonald Magic Show, free Mayfield ice cream, costumed characters, plus health, wellness and educational programs. Admission and parking are free. Cost of activities ranges from 50 cents to $3.00. Proceeds benefit families with critically ill and injured children at the Ronald McDonald House.
Autumn Children’s Festival is sponsored by the Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants. Health, wellness & educational activities provided by: Volunteer State Health Plan, Discovery Toys, Pump it Up, Ronald McDonald Care Mobile, Junior League of Chattanooga, Hamilton County Rescue, Chattanooga Fire Department, Children’s Advocacy Center, READ 20, Galen Medical Group, Cover TN Kids, Cadek Conservatory of Music- Kindermusik, Safe & Sound, TN Highway Patrol, TN Saves and Covenant Transport.
The Autumn Children’s Festival attracts 3,000 – 3,500 children and families during the 2-day event. It generates approximately $35,000 – $40,000 for Chattanooga Ronald McDonald House Charities each year. More than 350 adult and student volunteers from the Greater Chattanooga area help with the event planning, set-up, operation and clean-up of the festival every year. In 2008, the event raised more than $38,000 for the organization which helped pay for operational expenses for Ronald McDonald House and Family Room for approximately 26 days. The daily cost to run both facilities is $1,430 per day.
About Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Chattanooga (RMHC):
Established in 1990, Chattanooga Ronald McDonald House Charities provides a “home away from home” each year for approximately 600 families of critically injured and seriously ill children receiving treatment at nearby hospitals in Chattanooga. RMHC of Greater Chattanooga is an independent, 501(c) 3 registered non-profit that operates solely on donations from individuals, businesses and foundations. The cornerstone programs are the 26-bedroom Ronald McDonald House, Ronald McDonald Family Room located inside T.C. Thompson Children’s Hospital and the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile, a mobile dental clinic providing free dental cleanings and examinations to underserved, school-age children in Tennessee Valley. Ronald McDonald House Charities also offers 40, $1,000 scholarships to area high schools’ seniors. For more information, contact 423 778-4300, or visit www.rmhchattanooga.com.