“CITY OF HARTFORD CELEBRATES NATIONAL GRANDPARENTS DAY

 WITH 4^th ANNUAL GRANDPARENTS DAY FAMILY FAIR”

Saturday, September 9, 2006

---News and Community Advisory---

            (August 15, 2006)---  “The 4^th Annual Grandparents Day Family Fair,” will be celebrated Saturday, September 9^th from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Bushnell Park near the Carousel.

            Grandparents Day was a campaign initiated more than thirty years ago by Marian McQuade.  Who wanted to dedicate a day honoring grandparents, to help children to become aware of the strength, information and guidance grandparents can offer.  In 1978, President Jimmy Carter proclaimed the first Sunday after Labor Day as “National Grandparents Day.”

            The City of Hartford celebrates this day in honor of the more than 2,000 grandparents who are raising their grandchildren and more than 18,000 grandparents raising kin in the state of Connecticut.

            Families will have an opportunity to bring a blanket and picnic lunch while enjoying the event filled with games, arts, crafts and relays.  Grandparents and their families will also have the opportunity to learn more about the special programming and services that are available to them in our community.  This year our program has partnered with the 11^th Annual Lift Every Voice and Sing Gospel Festival and Fair. 

            Ramon Rojano, Director of the Health and Human Services Department says, “ With this event we wish to recognize grandparents who are raising their grandchildren.  We want them to enjoy a family day filled with entertainment and information that will support them in their commitment to their families.”

            For more information about this event, please contact Elby Gonzalez-Schwapp at (860) 547-1426 ext. 7572.