It was a sideways rainy kind of day, but that didn’t bother those folks who came out to play regardless of the weather. We had a blast and spruced up the playground in the process! We started the Play Day with Shoe Golf, which was a popular game and won by Stormy Osbourne- both times! This was followed by Seaweed Tag a tiring running game-especially when wet. The scavenger hunt came next. Teams combed the playground, wetland park and even all the way to the beach to collect the nature items on the list. The scavenger hunt ended at the Peace Pole where participants had to quickly write down the words ‘May Peace Prevail on Earth’ on the back of their paper and race back to the picnic shelter. All the teams pretty much finished at the same time!  We concluded the games with a 5-minute weed pulling contest. The playground and the pathways in the Peace Garden was in need of weeding and plus it was a fun way to improve our play space. The winning team won Emergency Kits donated by the Red Cross, one of the many exhibitors at the Disaster Preparedness Faire that was going on next to our event in the picnic shelter. Many of the Disaster Preparedness Faire participants signed the Beach Ball petition which stated:

By signing the petition, you’re telling the world that you believe that every child, regardless of geography or income, needs a great place to play within walking distance, and they need at least 60 minutes each day devoted to play. Beach ball petitions will be sent to Congress.

We also shared and spread the world that our play day was a special day because we were advocating for an outdoor play space for every kid!

After a couple hours playing in the rain, we were happy to go inside for a bite of some scrumptious homemade cookies and a cup of hot cocoa or spiced cider. We enjoyed white bean chili and a veggie tray donated by The Drift Inn, and loaves of fresh roasted garlic bread with a delicious cheese spread from Heidi’s Homemade Food– both local Yachats businesses. Thank you all for making our play day extra special by coming together as a community with your smiles and playing the Yachats way-rain or shine!

Check out the Yachats Community KaBOOM! Play Day photo album

Also, check out the Yachats Community KaBOOM! Play Day footage by Milo Graamans: