Rides, toys, candy highlight Kid’s Night

Kid’s Night at Figure 8 Races during the Keokuk County Expo left many county children with smiles on their faces after an evening of free racecar rides and lots of great prizes.

Families had an opportunity to hitch a ride on competing racer’s vehicles around the track before the races began. More than a hundred people lined up in front of the track for the short rides

The best was yet to come for anyone ages three to fourteen. Morton Berrong, better known to the surrounding communities as MortDawg, hosted a toy and candy hunt/toss for the kids during the intermission. Since March, Berrong has advertised, collected, and organized the event in hopes of reaching more kids over the several years he’d been volunteering his time. More than 500 toys, including Star Wars toys, balls, bubble wands, and more were available for the young children.  $100 worth of candy was given out to those between ages ten and fourteen.

  “It’s been a learning experience, but a long, enjoyable day,” Berrong said. “I give what I can give, and there were a lot of children that went home happy.”

Though pleased with the results, Berrong feels that hot temperatures and the Highway 92 construction affected attendance at the event. With each year that he gives out toys to kids, he wants to expand the event and draw more people.

”There are families that can’t afford to take their kids to a theme park, so this is a great way to put a smile on a child’s face,” Berrong said. “When I started 4 years ago, I only had $60 and a prayer. Now we have one of the biggest toy and candy toss in the state.”

Check out of full gallery of photos at https://midamericapublishing.smugmug.com/Sigourney-NewsReview/Kids-Night...

List of sponsors:

H.R Block: Patricia Williams and Family, Pella Regional Hospital, Dr. Kanis and Family, Dr. Posthuma and Family, Dr. Barens and Family, Dr. Vanzee and Family, Dr. Smith and Family, Dr. Morgan, Dr. Vande Voort, Dr. Bloom and Family., Dr. Wittenberg and Family, Dr. Giritter and Family, Dr. Vincent and Family, Dr. Dykstra and Family, Dr. Doty and Family, Dr. Treimer and Family, Dr. Clark and Family, Dr. Thompson and Family, Anesthetist Joel Shaw and Family, Cherul Vanderweff and family, Muc, Med, Tech Dug Prange and Family, Ob Nurses and Aides, Skilled Care Nurses and Aides, Champion Sign and Storage and Family, McDonald's (Oskaloosa, Pella, Knoxville, Centerville, Netwon), Keokuk County Bowl Lucinda Williams and Employees, Dollar Tree, Davina VanHelten and Employees, Dollar General, Stacie Lambrat and Employees.