YMCA Fall Festival brings East County families together

The Lakewood Ranch branch held the annual event Friday.

  • By Jessica Salmond
  • | 11:33 p.m. October 16, 2015
  • East County
  • Neighbors
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From riding a mechanical bull to a climbing rock wall and bungee bouncing, kids had lots of athletic activities to choose from at the Lakewood Ranch branch of the Manatee County YMCA. 

The branch held its annual Fall Festival Friday night. It collaborated with OneBlood to provide a blood drive for McKinley Moore, a 2-year-old Y member who is fighting leukemia. The Y provided 20 to 30 volunteers to run craft and game booths.

"It's a great Y — we ride our bikes from Central Park," said Linda Rojack, who came to the festival with her husband, Tom, and granddaughter, Stephanie Greene. Greene is on the Y swim team.

 

Bradenton resident Lula Jones dressed up for the festival with her two sons, Darryen, right, and Desi'Yon, left.
Bradenton resident Lula Jones dressed up for the festival with her two sons, Darryen, right, and Desi'Yon, left.
Olivia Drobny bounces on the bungee cord.
Olivia Drobny bounces on the bungee cord.
Alice Shneyderman pets Midnight, a mini horse from Rosaire's Riding Academy.
Alice Shneyderman pets Midnight, a mini horse from Rosaire's Riding Academy.
April, Kayla and Lila Christman, Parrish residents, are ready for Halloween.
April, Kayla and Lila Christman, Parrish residents, are ready for Halloween.
Jocelyn Gomez decorates a pumpkin.
Jocelyn Gomez decorates a pumpkin.
Jon-Ryan Pouso rides the mechanical bull.
Jon-Ryan Pouso rides the mechanical bull.
Juan Jose Alvarez makes a s'more.
Juan Jose Alvarez makes a s'more.
Heritage Harbour resident Mandy Bowyer helps her daughter, Stella, at the craft table.
Heritage Harbour resident Mandy Bowyer helps her daughter, Stella, at the craft table.
Stephanie Greene, a YMCA swim team member, treks the climbing wall.
Stephanie Greene, a YMCA swim team member, treks the climbing wall.
Kids load onto the train.
Kids load onto the train.

 

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