Marble Falls Spring Break starts Monday
By Glynis Crawford Smith
The Highlander
Get ready. Get set. Go to Marble Falls Spring Break 2018.
The Marble Falls Parks and Recreation Department again will provide the free weekday fun while Marble Falls Independent School District students are on vacation.
It takes place every day from Monday, March 12, through Friday, March 16. all with the help of local sponsors.
Last year, H-E-B became the corporate sponsor through its Community Investment Program. Free lunches are provided for kids every day from restaurants including Chick-fil-A, Subway, Pizza Hut and, of course, H-E-B.
Monique Breaux, this year's coordinator, amassed some statistics from last year's foodies: 300 hot dogs and 200 hamburgers, 520 bags of fruit snacks, 584 bags of chips, 310 bottles of sports drinks and 300 bottles of water.
The event has only grown in popularity over the years.
What started out with 600 participants for nine events, grew in 2016 to 1,600 for 10 events. Last year; 2,075 attended a dozen activities.
Everyone can count on a reward for getting caught “being good.” Walmart and other merchants are a big help when it comes to small daily prizes and with grand prizes at the finale.
But other merchants, such as Home Depot, fitness programs and community volunteers round out the offerings. Parents are always invited to tag along, but supervision is provided for 10 major events.
The event has only grown in popularity over the years, so Parks and Recreation is prepared.
What started with 600 participants for nine events, grew in 2016 to 1,600 for 10 events. Last year, 2,075 attended a dozen activities.
Monday, March 12
They begin with a new event—Scavenger Hunt on Main—from 9 a.m.-noon. Kids pick up their lists for the hunt at Old Oak Square on Main Street and make their way through finds down to Yett Street.
“Downtown businesses are helping with this,” said Breaux. “In the afternoon from 1-3 p.m., Craft and Woodwork will be going on at Home Depot (1307 Mormon Mill Road).”
Tuesday, March 13
Movies in the Morning will feature a screening of the Disney animated adventure “Moana.” It will be shown 9-11 a.m. at Lakeside Pavilion, 307 Buena Vista Drive.
The Elevate Church Skate Contest will be going on from noon-3:30 p.m. Last year's event with DJ music and prizes was a hit whether youngsters just wanted to learn or were ready to show their stuff at Falls Creek Skatepark, 900 Yett Street.
Wednesday, March 14
Wednesday is all about athletics at Westside Park, 1704 Second Street.
The Verus Strength & Fitness Obstacle Course will be going on from 9-10:30 a.m. The event sponsored by the faith-based training center at 708 Industrial Boulevard is ever popular.
From 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. the Women in Combat Fitness Kickball Games will be on the field. The personal and group fitness training business at 2413-11 Commerce Street joined the line-up last year.
Another new event rounds out the day—the Camp Gladiator Flag Football Tournament. Camp Gladiator is an Austin-based fitness club with a Marble Falls unit that meets four days each week at Westside Park.
Thursday, March 15
The Leta Stevenson-Smith 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament, from 1-4 p.m. Thursday, is named for the spark for the whole Parks and Recreation Spring Break tradition.
Before tip-off at Westside Park, a ceremony will be held to recognize her.
“She will be honored for her 20-year service to Marble Falls Spring Break,” said Breaux.
Smith, already a Spring Break volunteer, came to the Parks and Recreation Commission on which she still serves in 2002. So, she was ready with a commitment to make the week fun, even for young people whose families could not take time from work or afford travel. She was a moving force behind development of Westside Park where many of the activities are held.
Friday, March 16
Friday will be the grand finale.
The Wild Things Zoofari Exotic Animal Show will take place from 10-11:30 a.m. at the Marble Falls Public Library, 100 Main Street.
This show is an outgrowth of the Austin Petting Zoo. From parrots to kangaroos and native Texas critters to exotic, endangered species, it brings young into contact with animal they normally would see in a zoo.
Live animal shows are always popular at the library with all ages of children to their parents and grandparents and librarians are ready to guide all ages to books, movies and documentaries to keep active minds exploring what they have seen.
More information about the show is available from Misty Smith at the library, msmith@burnetcounty library.org or 830-693-3023.
The Pool Party and Cupcake Social from noon-5 p.m. offers more than a spring dip and sweet treats. Grand prizes will be interspersed with with other door prizes throughout the afternoon. For safety's sake, the party is limited to the first 150 children arriving at the Marble Falls Public Pool in Lakeside Park, 305 Buena Vista Drive.
Direct questions about Marble Falls Spring Break 2018 to the Marble Falls Parks and Recreation Department at 830-798-6250 or mbreaux@marblefallstx.gov.
