What fun our island families had on Sept. 9 at the first-ever FANS Carnival supporting Island Rec.

From jumping on four different huge inflatables to munching on carnival classics like cotton candy and snow cones, to throwing darts, bowling and making balloon hats, the carnival was a true memory builder for kids of all ages—plus just a great way for our island community to spend a Sunday afternoon together.

Families and Neighbors Support Island Rec (FANS) could not have presented these special festivities without the help of dozens of volunteers (including Dollars for Scholars and Leo Club members), business sponsors and friends. A special thank you goes to the Kiwanis Club, which not only supplemented food costs for the event, but members also manned the club’s “K-Boose,’ grilling delicious hot dogs and burgers.

Other sponsors and supporters included Soroptimists, David Waldron, Angela Sutherland, Becki Day, Larry Wight, Inter Island Water Co., Friday Harbor Elementary School, Scott Zehner Construction, Whidbey Island Bank, B’s Construction, Osito’s, Nate’s Automotive, Benz Painting, Island Wools, Western Prince, San Juan County Fair and Printonyx.

FANS’ mission is to enhance the island’s park and recreation facilities and programs by promoting goodwill, and broadening the funding base of Island Rec. In addition to events like the Carnival, FANS relies on individuals, families and businesses to join our FAN Club to help us in that mission. For more information about FANS, visit our website at www.islandrecfans.org.

Thank you to all of our sponsors, volunteers and Carnival-goers for helping FANS with our first big event—we look forward to a future of fun!

Cathy Kromer, President, FANS