Family fun at North Sound Estates

By Christopher Tobutt

Family fun fairs are great because they bring communities together and there were just so many fun things to do at the North Sound Estates and Newlands Community Family Fun Fair, on the ICCI field. The original date was set for 26 October but it got postponed because of the rainy weather. It almost happened again, but the rain blew away and the sun came out, along with the children, to make it one of the best family days out ever.

There was not just one, but two bouncy castles, and then there was also a traditional-style throw-the-beanbag in the shark’s mouth (and frog’s mouth, too) and the RCIPS community police were there, with lots of friendly advice for people about how to secure their homes, with a K9 display of Police Dog goodness and obedience later in the afternoon.

But the star attractions were George the Clown, who made all kinds of animal balloons. He is the very best kind of clown, who knows exactly how to make young children laugh. When it was time, all the children and moms and dads gathered around to see his wonderful magic show. There were lots of Ala Kazam’s and Hey Prestos and rabbits came out of hats, by magic. Next came The Mighty Ricardo, wearing a black top hat in the best tradition. The children loved his mesmerizing magic too, as he made three cupcakes appear from nowhere, as rewards for his three young volunteers.

Carole Broadbelt Chairperson of the North Sound Estates Community Committee, said: “This is a fundraiser for our community North Sound Estates and Newlands,” she was standing beside lots of lovely craft items, which had been specially hand-painted glass items by Kay Kerrig, to be sold for community funds, Ms Broadbelt explained as she showed me a hand-painted bottle, plus some items which had been donated by Vigoro nurseries. “We have various cleanups during the year, so we provide refreshments and those little picking up sticks,” Ms Broadbelt said. “We also had a ‘meet-and-greet’ last year down at the boat ramp.” There are roughly 100 members of the community on the Whatsapp chat group, and the community has also formed itself into a Neighbourhood Watch group. “We try to keep it beautiful we take great pride in our entrance gates,” she said, explaining that they were maintained by community members.

The dog-rescue charity, One Dog at A Time was there. “We rescue dogs from the dog pound that are due to be euthanized,” said CJ, one of the members. “We find them brand new homes on the island or we send them off to places like Tampa or Canada. “Spread the word about us so that people can come forward as fosters. The organization has already found around 100 foster homes for dogs,” Ms CJ said.

Of course, what lots of little boys and little girls love to do best of all is climb into the cab of a real-live fire truck, and here was one, chrome and steel gleaming in the afternoon sun. Nicholas Peralta Pump Engineer with the Cayman Islands Fire Service, said: “We were asked to come here today to show our presence and display the truck, and answer any questions that the kids might have about it,” but if you are five years old, and allowed to sit behind the wheel of a gleaming fire truck, well, you don’t really have very many questions after that.