Churches, community groups welcome 600 for Family Fun Day in Medina

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Mark Strassner does a full backflip on his bike at the Luke Nelson Skate Park in Medina on Saturday as part of Family Fun Day at Butts Park.

Strassner was one of eight BMX bikers and skateboarders in Reanimate who did a demonstration. The group is from Rochester and visits skate parks in the region. They said the new Medina skate park is a top site for skaters and BMX bikers.

“This one of the model parks for its general design and flow,” said Greg Skolaski, one of the group’s leaders. “There is something for everyone.”

Skolaski, a pastor, also spoke to large crowd at Butts Parks for the sixth annual Family Fun Day.

Many churches and community offered information, snacks and other giveaways in the event that was scheduled from noon to 4 p.m. About 50 volunteers teamed to put on the event.

Pastor Jovannie Canales interviews Sherry Tuohey, who heads MAAC’s Red Barrel program at Christmas.

Canales and his wife Melisa, left, are leaders of the Oasis Church in Medina. It used to be known as The Second Church True Disciples of Jesus Christ until changing its name in May.

The congregation has been doing Family Fun Day for six years. It started from a parking lot at the old Medina High School with 50 people and has grown each year.

Canales said 10 churches from the Medina Area Association of Churches (MAAC) and Pastors Aligned for Community Transformation (PACT) worked together to put on the event.

There were 320 adults and 300 kids at Family Fun Day. The churches prayed for 125 people and 15 people were baptized, Canales said.

“It’s awesome to see the fellowship and unity in the county,” Canales said about the churches working together. “We’re all on the same mission to reach our county.”

Medina police officer and K-9 handler Jacob Reeves and Phoenix did a K-9 demonstration showing Phoenix’s skills at tracking and detection.

Kids had a lot of fun in the bounce houses and also the playground equipment at Butts Park.

The Medina Fire Department offered a up-close look at a fire truck and also gave out red plastic fire hats. Kids could also spray a hose at targets.

A skateboarder from Reanimate demonstrates some skills in the bowl at the Skate Park.