Greenwood and Woodson elementary school principals Cheryl O’Neal and Lilly Welch are at the table greeting children during the first Community Field Day held in 2014 at the county park in Westover. April is the Month of the Young Child and activities during this year’s field day will celebrate children and families with a focus on early education.[/caption]

WESTOVER — April is the Month of the Young Child and what better way to celebrate but to attend the free Somerset County Field Day, set for the second year Saturday, April 25 at the county’s recreational park on Sam Barnes Road. There will be activities starting with the UMES Exercise Science Walk Challenge at 9 a.m. with the general opening at 10, continuing until 3 p.m.

There will be live music, Zumba instruction, a bouncy house, petting zoo, face painting, health assessments, appearances by Harry the Hawk and UMES athletics, displays from Janes Island State Park plus raffles, food and door prizes. In addition, the Maryland Food Bank starting at 10 will give away a limited number of food tickets for a distribution on May 9.

The Somerset Early Learning Advisory Council is especially celebrating young children and families with a spot devoted to early childhood education which will include pre-K registration. There will also be family activities for school readiness and book giveaways.

Karen Karten, Somerset County Early Childhood coordinator, remarked that “by celebrating the Young Child in April, we have an opportunity to recognize the importance of early learning and early literacy, and to celebrate the teachers and policies that bring early childhood education to young children.”

Other participants and sponsors include Recreation and Parks, Healthy Somerset, McCready Foundation, Crisfield Clinic, UMES Exercise Program, PNC Bank, Somerset Judy Center Partnership, Healthy Families Lower Shore, Annesmessex Plumbing and heating, Somers Cove Marina, and the Sheriff’s Office.

Shore Transit will be providing free transportation from Princess Anne and Crisfield for the field day to the county’s athletic facility on Sam Barnes Road from 11 to 3. For details call 443-260-2600.

...And don't forget Fashion and Favorites night

On Tuesday, April 28, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., the Judy Center will feature a Fashion and Favorites night at Washington High School. This “Raising a Reader” activity highlights early literacy. Participants from Greenwood and Princess Anne elementary schools, the UMES Child and Family Development Center, Head Start, and Kelly Smith’s and Rachel Childers’ Family Child Care will dress in their best and discuss their favorite story books.

The public is welcome to attend both of these upcoming events.