Cool, misty weather did not deter members of the community from attending this year’s Safari Family Fun Day.
The event has been a community staple since 2007, according to Amy Jensen, executive director of the Chanute Area Chamber of Commerce. Jensen said the event began in partnership with Neosho County Community College, where it was originally held. The event branched off from the annual Business Expo and Home Show.
Safari Family Fun Day moved downtown in 2013 according to Jensen.
“That move allowed the attractions around the Depot as well as the downtown merchants to be involved in this community event,” Jensen said. “Since that time, Safari Family Fun Day has grown to include participation by the City of Chanute Fire and Police Departments, Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center Emergency Medical Services, the Martin and Osa Johnson Safari Museum, Main Street Chanute, The Chanute Art Gallery, the Chanute Historical Museum and various community organizations such as 4-H as well as food and other vendors. The petting zoo is a mainstay of the event as well as the Kids Dash for Cash.”
Jim Kramer, owner of Kramer Livestock and Petting Zoo said he and his animals have been attending the event almost every year.
“You try to bring something for all ages,” Kramer said. “This is a good way for parents to spend time with their kids.”
Some of the most notable animals brought included a young kangaroo called Lottie and a camel.
“Everybody likes the camel,” Kramer said. “But different kids like different things,” Kramer also brought sheep, goats, rabbits, silkie chickens, a small highland cow, an alpaca, Shetland ponies, and miniature donkeys.
Attendees could pet the animals freely, and purchase a feed cup to treat the animals. Kramer said he gets a special pellet made of corn, wheat, vitamins, and protein.
“She’s really cute,” attendee Kennlie Brazil said of Lottie.
Kennlie said she also enjoyed browsing the vendors present and getting to pet the cow.
“It’s soft,” another attendee Esme Patton said of the alpaca.
Amber Brazil who attended with her four children said the trip was spontaneous.
“We actually just drove by and saw it,” Amber said. “They wanted to stop so we did.”
Attendees also browsed vendor booths and visited the Martin and Osa Johnson Safari Museum and the Chanute Historical Society Museum.
“It’s an annual thing. We keep the museum open as long as people are outside,” Chanute Historical Society Archive Manager Gila LaRue said. “We’ve had a pretty good turnout as cool as it’s been.”
LaRue said the event was geared toward families with young children, and said it was something to look forward to in the spring, ahead of the annual Artist Alley event.
“It’s also nice because the streets are blocked off, there is no traffic and the kids can walk freely,” LaRue said.
Alyssa Hale, who attended with her father, brother, and grandmother said everything about Safari Family Fun Day was nice. She enjoyed getting a balloon animal dog. Hale said it was also her first time attending.
This year was the first year that Angela Swift, a professional face painter attended.
“I think this is fantastic,” Swift said. “The museums are awesome.”
Despite the vandalism that shut down the Chanute Art Gallery earlier this month, Joe Summers and Bob Cross still offered pottery demonstrations on the back patio.
Brad Mann, 7, and Jayden Poole, 16, attended the demonstration and practiced making a dish on a pottery wheel. Cross said he has been making pottery for close to 50 years, and that this event is always fun for the community.
Ruthann Boatwright of Main Street Chanute said the event was a success. She offered stencils and chalk for attendees to decorate the sidewalk, as well as information about upcoming events.
“The kids have had a lot of fun,” Boatwright said.
