Correspondent photo / Karla Dines
Volunteer Tim Naples of Warren mans the dunking booth at the annual KidzFest in Courthouse Square as Amelia Jimenez, 4, of Warren, attempts to send Naples into the dunk tank. The free annual event is sponsored by the Church at Warren and is coordinated by Pastor David Natale.

The Church at Warren sponsored the community event, which included a bounce house, a dunking booth, a slide, a rock wall, a gospel presentation and lunch.

Pastor David Natale said the free event previously took place at the Eastwood Mall. Natale, who has been the pastor at The Church at Warren since 2005, moved the event to Courthouse Square in 2008. In previous years, the event took place in late July, but was moved to August this year.

Upon arrival, each child received a colored wristband, with activities and lunch time determined by group / wristband color. Saturday’s break from the 90-degree heat allowed for comfortable play all afternoon.

The lunch line was short because lunch was served in groups, based on wristband color. Lunch included hot dogs, chips, doughnuts and lemonade.

Salina Sapp, 6, of Warren, was happy that she was able to climb to the very top of the rock wall.

“I was kind of scared and nervous. I almost screamed. I don’t like it too high,” she said.

Volunteer Tim Naples of Warren manned the dunk seat, but spent a lot of time in the dunk tank, as each attendee was able to throw multiple balls at the target.

Gospel presentations took place in a tent, allowing for 125 children and adults at a time to hear presentations by Pastor Dan Barker from Cortland Trinity Baptist Church.

Volunteers Mike Jones of Kinsman and Charlie Stingel of Champion provided information and literature regarding the School Ministries of Trumbull County. They said that Champion and Bristol schools are in the program. Howland, Lakeview, LaBrae, Lordstown, Southington and Warren City Schools also will join the program this year.

“We are looking for volunteers to drive, and to be aids, and teachers,” Jones said.

School Ministries of Trumbull County is a community-led collaborative program that provides Released Time Bible Education to children in grades K-12.

Natale said, “We have a little church bus, and we get a place as close to the school as we can. A law was passed in Ohio allowing the opportunity for students to leave school during lunch, attend a Bible lesson and return to school. The program is offered at no cost to students.”

Stingel said, “Pastor Dan and Pastor Dave focus on the youth.”

After having fun with their families and participating in the ministry, attendees turned in their colored wristbands, which were exchanged for a book bag containing school supplies.