First Family Fun Factory event fills up fast; organizers plan to bring it back

First Family Fun Factory event fills up fast organizers plan

The first Family Fun Factory hosted by CKRecreation was a hit with local families.

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“Great job,” said Derek Lanoue, of Tilbury, who brought his family to the event at the John D. Bradley Center in Chatham on Monday. “It’s awesome to have this in the community.”

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Lanoue admits he didn’t know what to expect, but added, “It’s a great event.”

He said his kids were enjoying all the bouncy castles and other fun things going on.

Hudson Zettler, 6, of Chatham, had a great time having his face painted and bouncing around on the various inflatables with his brothers Nolan, 4, and Riley, 2.

“I like the pirate ship,” he said.

Victoria Faubert, 4, who was hanging out with her dad Justin, got her face painted and had fun going on the bouncy castles.

Justin Faubert, of Grande Pointe, was impressed.

“You can’t ask for more,” he said. “It’s nice to have something to do for the kids.”

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Six-year-old Madison Lanoue, of Tilbury, is having fun at the first Family Fun Factory event held Monday at the John D. Bradley Convention Center in Chatham. Ellwood Shreve/Chatham Daily News jpg, CD, apsmc

Ashley Whiting, of Dresden, brought her two daughters Hailey Myers, 7, and Charlotte, 5, to the Fun Factory.

“It’s an amazing event,” she said. “It’s only $2 so you can’t beat the cost.”

Noting they would otherwise be hanging out at home and watching movies, Whiting said they will “absolutely” be coming back next year if it is held.

“It’s great activity.”

Family Fun Factory, Chatham-Kent
Four-year-old Victoria Faubert, of Grande Pointe, gets her face painted by artist Karen Young during the first Family Fun Factory on Monday at the John D. Bradley Center. Ellwood Shreve/Chatham Daily News jpg, CD, apsmc

Amy Wadsworth, Chatham-Kent manager of recreation and community engagement, credits her team at CKRecreation for organizing the Fun Factory.

“They said there’s nothing happening on Family Day and they wanted to do a big event and try to get all families connected and back together again,” she said.

Wadsworth said you can’t always count on the weather so planning something outdoors doesn’t work.

“It was great to have it here at the Bradley Centre,” she said. “It’s a nice, big facility and we can have it indoors for a lot of people.”

Wadsworth said since the event was held indoors, families were asked to register, which reached its 1,500 capacity on Friday.

“We knew having an event like this that there was going to be many people coming and wanting to enjoy it,” she said.

The aim is to the Fun Factory back next year.

“I hope the families that are here are really enjoying it and that it’s something we can continue year after year,” Wadsworth said.

Family Fun Factory, Chatham-Kent
Hailey Myers, 7, of Dresden is among hundreds of youngsters from across Chatham who were having a great time during the first Family Fun Factory on Monday at the John D. Bradley Center. Ellwood Shreve/Chatham Daily News jpg, CD, apsmc

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