Hundreds attend Patterson Fun Day

The sound of children’s laughter filled the air during the Family Fun Day hosted by the Patterson Police Department Saturday behind Hattie Watts Elementary.
Patterson Police Chief Patrick LaSalle estimated the crowd at about 1,000 people.
Shortly after the heat and humidity persuaded the Sons family to leave the activities to seek the cool of their home across the street, Homer Sons called the event “a good thing” he hoped would be continued. He and wife Julia said they would be going back later in the day to enjoy it some more.
“The kids had a blast,” Julia Sons said.
Patterson resident Peter “Dutch” Vandenaardweg served as the conductor of a multicar train that trekked young children around the playground.
John Sons Jr. and his fiancé Peggy Boone said they enjoyed the family-oriented event as well. He said his toddler enjoyed riding on the train.
The little boy, John Sons III, shook his head up and down in confirmation of his enjoyment of the train ride.
“Me and Matea (his cousin) went riding on the train,” the little boy said with a grin.
Homer Sons was not the only one who expressed a keen interest in the Family Fun Day becoming a Patterson tradition.
Kayla Williams brought her two children and a niece to the Fun Day and was impressed with the atmosphere and respect she experienced.
“This is really fun for the kids and everybody,” she said. “It is a good thing I hope they will keep doing.”
Debra Richard was walking with her son Devin Lawrence, 11, who goes to Patterson Junior High School. The two were obviously enjoying the event and their time together.
“We heard about this a few days ago and he has been looking forward to coming here and having fun ever since then,” Richard said of her son.
LaSalle said there were two themes to the comments he got Saturday from people with whom he spoke.
“Everybody keeps asking if we will do this again, and we will,” LaSalle promised. “People come up to me and say, ‘Chief, what can I do to help? How can I volunteer?’”
The free rides, entertainment, and food and drinks were made possible through the cooperation and generosity of businesses and vendors who donated money, services and products, Patterson Police officer Julia May Sterling said. Sterling and officer Garrett Grogan were the officers LaSalle assigned to coordinate the day’s activities.
Community citizens’ willingness to offer a helping hand helped make the event function as well as it did, she said.
“The Patterson Police Department really appreciates the help and support of all the individuals who volunteered their assistance,” Sterling said.
Grogan said he and Sterling worked for about three weeks to organize the event and coordinate the efforts of the businesses that wanted to be part of a community event. Although the event went off smoothly and without incidents, he expects next year’s event to be more organized.
One of the unique things which contributed to the events success is that everything was free, Grogan said.
Grogan said at least 53 businesses, vendors, companies and individuals contributed something to the Fun Day. Most of these were from Patterson, he said. Grogan foresees the same generous support can be counted on next year so that the Fun Day can continue to be a free event.
Around 3 p.m., the two officers loaded a couple hundred toys and other items in the back of a pickup truck and drove to the middle of the field and began handing them out to children who stood patiently in line for their free toy.
Many of the kids immediately ripped into the packages and began playing with the toys.
Two trustees of the Patterson Police jail volunteered to do children’s haircuts, LaSalle said.
“They wanted to share in giving something back to the community. They knew what we were trying to do and they wanted to be a part of it,” LaSalle said of the two trustees. “They gave over 65 free haircuts.”
A dozen Patterson Police officers volunteered to assist in working the event, helping to ensure its security as well as lend a helping hand wherever one was needed, LaSalle said.
This was an opportunity for the police to interact with the children of the community, Grogan said. He said he has been involved in working with youth as both a private citizen as well as a police officer. He said he has worked with the Patterson Recreation Department as well as assisted in coaching athletics at Patterson High.
“This was right up officer Grogan’s alley,” Sterling said. “The Patterson Police Department never wants to feel a disconnect with the community. Whether it is a crisis situation or not, we always want the community to know we are here for them.”
Two weeks ago, LaSalle and Sterling said they wanted to bring in live entertainment and other things that would appeal not just to children, but to adults as well. They wanted to make sure it was a “family day” and not just a “children day” event.
They were not disappointed as parents and custodians appeared to stay at the event with the children in their care.
“This is the kind of thing that makes me proud to be Patterson chief of police but even more it makes me proud to be a citizen of Patterson,” LaSalle said.