“It’s our way of giving back to the community,” said Terri Gross, co-owner of Our Own Candle Company. “And the heat didn’t appear to keep anybody away.”

The affair featured many returning favorites, including the giant inflatables from Incredible Bounce of Eden, a relaxation station created by the Alexander Findley Community Library, face painting, candle-making, an interactive display from the ExpERIEnce Children’s Museum, a display of preserved wildlife provided by the Findley Lake Nature Center and an abundance of picnic food and drinks.

New this year was the petting zoo brought in by Pony Parties of North East, Pa., which included an assortment of live animals, including rabbits, a pygmy goat and a pony.

“I reserved the petting zoo last September,” said Lori Wagner, organizer of Kids Day.

The reason there is no charge for anything at Findley Lake Kids Day is that its founders, Larry and Terry Gross, decided they wanted to “give something back to the community,” and many community members volunteer their time and services. Findley Lake’s Calvert-Pearson Insurance donated bottled water and Pine Junction donated root beer, Wagner said.

Pine Junction also contributed the use of a refrigerated cooler truck, which Wagner said was essential for snow cones and cold beverages, which are in high demand.

This is Wagner’s sixth year coordinating Kids Day.

“I start reserving everything in February,” she said. “We have the event every year in July or August.”

Although the temperature approached 90 degrees with heat advisories throughout the area, Wagner said she did not believe the heat affected the attendance.

“It turned out beautiful,” she said. “We were a little worried about the heat, but the breeze and the tents helped a lot.”

Both Gross and Wagner emphasized that the gratification of Kids Day for them is found in the response of those who attend each year. “The nicest part is having all the people approach us and thank us,” Wagner said.