MARYSVILLE — This year’s Marysville Strawberry Festival included a new event, “Kids Party in the Park,” in the Totem Middle School outer courtyard June 20.

The Kids Party in the Park catered specifically to young people in and around the Marysville area, by offering an entertainment stage, children’s activities, arts and crafts, and concessions.

“It went really well,” said Angie Miller, director of the Kids Party in the Park. “We had excellent attendance. Ronald McDonald was there first thing this morning, and kicked it off with an amazing show. He did magic and all kinds of stuff.”

Ronald McDonald wasn’t the only mascot on site during the day, as the AquaSox’s Webley, Smokey the Bear and McGruff the Crime Dog also put in appearances.

“We had the ‘Reptile Man’ as one of our entertainers,” Miller said. “He brought out all his creepy crawlers and the kids really enjoyed it.”

Scott Petersen, the Monroe-based “Reptile Man,” came carrying several cases of scaly companions, including an enormous tortoise, a small alligator, and a variety of lizards and snakes.

The Marysville YMCA presented Zumba dancing for kids, and the Marysville Performing Arts Centre staged a dance show of its own.

“We had lots of vendors and lots of free stuff for kids,” said Miller, who estimated that 700 children stopped by over the course of the day. “We were aiming it at kids ages 4-11, and everything there was free for kids to do. We just wanted to do something for the younger kids, since they don’t have a lot to do.”

Among the 15 participating organizations were the Marysville YMCA, the city of Marysville Parks and Recreation Department, the Marysville Fire District, Camp Fire and the Girl Scouts.

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