Good times roll in Marble Falls Spring Break

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

Spring is in the air and coming with it March 13-18 Marble Falls Parks & Recreation Spring Break Program.

Last year, attendance almost doubled and this year one donor more than doubled support in response.

“We received a $2,500 grant from the H-E-B Community Investment Program,” said City Manager Mike Hodge. “Typically the city's budget for spring break is about $2,400.”

Most of the city's largest retailers, some smaller ones and restaurants always contribute in some way but this year H-E-B is the primary sponsor.

“The local H-E-B has always been a Spring Break supporter with volunteers and donations,” said Parks & Recreation Director Robert Moss. “HEB continues to help our community become a better place to live; both at the local and corporate levels.”

Leta Stevenson-Smith joined the Parks & Recreation Commission in 2000 and ever since has been the champion of the spring break program and of Westside Park where many activities are held.

“This event is my passion and folks know when they drop off their babies with me they are safe. We feed them and give them something fun to do and learn about and I reward them when I catch them being good.

“The business have been just wonderful to donate time and materials and food and prizes. We couldn't do without them and the city staff and all the volunteers that make it happen.”

Prizes are a big part of the event from the big drawing prizes on the final day to others for game champs and surprises. Some of the prizes can be won in another Spring Break Photo Contest in which imagination and creativity will mark the winners. Kindle Fire, an Amazon Echo Dot and 4 RTIC 30-ounce tumblers with gift cards inside are grand prizes and each winner gets a chance to draw for them.

“The skateboard contest drew the most attendance last year and we'll be giving away skateboards at this year's event,” said Stevenson-Smith. “Besides 'caught you being nice' prizes, I like to have prizes for just having fun.

“We always have something new to enjoy. This year we added a talent show and we have someone teaching swing dancing. We added kick ball, too.”

An upsurge in parent attendance last year pleased the spring break veteran.

“We had parents at almost every event and that was really good,” she said. “Next to the skateboard contest we probably saw the most parents at the Home Depot woodworking event. Kids get to build a house or a birdhouse or a car. It's popular.”

The schedule includes:

Monday, March 13

• Noon-3 p.m. at Lakeside Pavilion—Swing Dance and “Marble Falls Has Talent” show. Taylor Grey of Highland Lakes Ballroom will provide the dance instruction. Almost any talent safe for the pavilion is welcomed, participants just sign in and perform in turn.

Tuesday, March 14

• 9-10 a.m. at Westside Park—Disc Golf Clinic sponsored by McCary & McCary. Former parks commissioner Mark McCary returns to teach the basics of frisbee golf for children to enjoy.

• Noon-3:30 p.m.—Skate Contest at Falls Creek Skatepark with members of Elevate Church providing safety and trick instruction.

Wednesday March 15

• 9-10 a.m. Westside Park—Obstacle Course hosted by Verus Strength and Fitness.

• Noon-1:30 p.m.--Kickball Game at Westside Park

• 1-3 p.m.--Craft & Woodwork Workshop at Home Depot.

Thursday March 16

• 10-11 a.m.—Critter Man Exotic Animal Show at the Marble Falls Public Library, 101 Main Street.

• 10:30-11:45 a.m.—Praise Dance Class at Westside Park Community Hall. The Yet Praise Dance Company will warm up dancers with stretching exercises and teach a dance routine to perform.

• 1-3:30 p.m.—Basketball 3-on-3 in Westside Park hosted by Smoking for Jesus Ministry.

Friday, March 17

• 11 a.m.-3 p.m.—Pool Party & Ice Cream Social at Lakeside Park Swimming Pool for the first 125 participants. Everyone gets a ticket for the drawing of the big prizes, including bicycles and Echo's. (In case of inclement weather it all takes place at the Westside Park Community Center.)

Saturday March 18

• 8-10 p.m.—Movie Night at Screen on the Green in Johnson Park, a screening of “The Sandlot” sponsored by Jolly Rodgers Paddle Company.

Marble Falls Spring Break Photo Contest Rules

Only pictures taken in the City of #MarbleFallsTX during a Spring Break 2017 event will be considered.

Only post pictures to the City's Instagram page, www.instagram.com/marblefalls_tx, for which the entrant owns the original copyright or that are in the public domain may be submitted.

Photos may be used by the city for website and publications.

Using the same email address that is linked to a person's Instagram account is required, so participants must create a profile on the city’s website, www.MarbleFallsTX.gov, in order to be qualified for the grand prize drawings.

Participants must follow the City of Marble Falls’ Instagram Page: MarbleFalls_TX ALL photos must contain both the #MFTXSB2017 and also #MFTXHEB hashtags in order to be considered for the grand prize drawings.