City Councilor Nancy Ross Proposes Fun-O-Rama

Proposed Fun-O-Rama would include sack races, medals, ice cream on a stick, more

CATHEDRAL CITY — Nancy Ross, the newest elected member of the City Council, has proposed what is being billed as a Fun-O-Rama. It would be a free event that encapsulates the charm of an old-fashioned family fun day with field day activities such as sack races, box relay, cornhole toss, bean bag toss, ring toss, T-ball hit and running bases, basketball dunk, and cupcake walks.

The event, proposed at Ocotillo Park on Saturday, Oct. 2 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., would also include a Tug-of-War competition between the city fire and police departments.”

“After a year and a half of a global pandemic, masking, distancing, being too young to receive vaccinations, schooling from home for a year and not fully understanding what is happening to our world, our kids deserve a day of pure fun,” Ross told Uken Report.  “An outdoor party in the park.  A Fun-O-Rama.”

Fifteen activities are  proposed that include pizza box relays, cake walks, softball base run, art projects, painting on a dumpster and other clean-air day and recycling ideas.

Beyond field day activities, Fun-O-Rama offers art projects for kids, a photo booth with a fall theme, and a Sunline Clean Bus display.

The proposal goes before the City Council in a special meeting at 2 p.m.. Wednesday, Sept. 1. Ross told Uken Report she will recuse herself.

The Fun-O-Rama is an event that could be recreated annually if it is a hit and the Parks and Arts Commission could work together to make it even better,

The excitement in Ross’s voice is palpable — even in a voice mail.

“(It’s) an event for the whole family with 1,000 medals to be won and a way to forget the world for a few hours,” Ross said. “Truly fun for the whole family.”

Supplies, food, drinks, and prizes will be provided either through Councilmember Nancy Ross’ discretionary funds, other Councilmembers’ funds if they so choose, Environmental and Conservation Funds, and/or private funds. The city will have an estimated $1,600 in-kind costs as Public Works employees will be needed to deliver, set-up and remove canopies, canopy weights, additional trash cans, and delineators.

The event would also provide free food and drinks for families including breakfast burritos, yogurt and bananas, and crackers with peanut butter or cheese from 9 a.m. to 11 am. Starting at 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., the event will offer free ice cream bars while supplies last. Fewer than 500 people are expected to attend.

Drinks would include small water bottles. All food would be individually packaged for safe handling and stored at proper temperatures, according to a staff report Chris Parman, communications and events manager, drafted.

Additionally, Fun-O-Rama will provide the community with educational information on SB 1383 and the need to start recycling food waste in separate containers starting on Jan. 1, 2022. As part of the educational process, free food waste containers will be given away. The statewide effort, known as SB 1383, was enacted to reduce emissions of short-lived climate pollutants (SLCP’s), which contribute to global warming and affect human health. SLCPs remain in the atmosphere for less time than carbon dioxide, but potentially cause more damage.

No music or amplified noise will be part of the event.