October 14, 2011
Families can enjoy animals, crafts, music and more on Governor's Mansion grounds tomorrow
Gov. Nixon, First Lady invite families to celebrate Children in Nature during 2011 Harvest Fest
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Governor Jay Nixon and First Lady Georganne Nixon invite Missouri families to visit the Governor's Mansion tomorrow (Saturday, Oct. 15) for the annual Harvest Fest. As part of the First Lady's ongoing Children in Nature Challenge, the annual fall celebration at the Mansion will include animals, crafts, music and other activities designed to get children and families out of the house and into the beauty of outdoor Missouri.
Held in conjunction with the Jefferson City's Downtown Association's fall festival, Harvest Fest at the Governor's Mansion will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
"As we do each year, the Governor and I look forward to welcoming Missouri families to Harvest Fest this weekend and sharing our passion for the outdoors," Mrs. Nixon said. "Children benefit both physically and emotionally from spending time running, playing an exploring outdoors, and it's also fun for the entire family. We encourage families to join us for this weekend's celebration and to find other opportunities to have fun in the beauty of Missouri's outdoors."
This year's Harvest Fest will feature a number of activities for families to enjoy, including: pumpkin painting; a demonstration garden; a forestry display by the Missouri Department of Conservation; a display including live bats, spiders and owls by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources; handouts and information on turkeys from the Conservation Federation of Missouri; naturalist presentations; storytellers; free books from Scholastic; homemade cookies; kettle corn; and a cider press. The first floor of the Governor's Mansion also will be open for guided tours.
Established by Gov. Nixon and chaired by Mrs. Nixon, the Children in Nature Challenge is a coordinated effort of numerous state departments, including Natural Resources, Conservation, Health and Senior Services, Mental Health, Elementary and Secondary Education, Higher Education, and Economic Development, to recognize families and communities who create opportunities for their children to get outside. Families and communities can learn more about the Challenge and sign up by visiting childreninnature.mo.gov.
In addition to the Mansion event, the Downtown Association's fall festival will include other activities throughout downtown Jefferson City.