Kids Dream Of A White January At SnowFest

SEBRING - About 3,000 people were expected to turn out Saturday for SnowFest 2008 at Sebring Raceway.

One was Autumn, 6, of Sebring, who came with her mother, Stacy Malone.

"I'm way up high," she screamed to Amy Simler, of New Port Richey, who hooked up Autumn to the Vertical Reality machine, a system of bungee cords connected to tall poles. Kids could bounce on trampolines, then get 15 feet off the ground without the fear of falling.

"Jump as high as you can," Simler encouraged. "Jump, jump, jump!"

SnowFest also had something seldom seen south of the frost line.

Kids were playing king of the hill on two piles of snow, getting their face painted, or sliding down a giant house of air.

"There aren't that many events for the kids, other than the Highlands County Fair," said Jenny Stupinski.

"This is a good event for children," said Stacey Donovan. Big Brothers Big Sisters puts on the annual fair. Donovan expects this one, which was the result of efforts by 150 adult and high school age volunteers, will collect about $12,000 for the mentoring program.

The mentoring program is the focus of Big Brothers Big Sisters, said Tameesha Hudson, the community resource directors. It's what pairs adult volunteers with children who need help with reading, math, social skills, or even self-esteem.

"We always need big brothers and big sisters," said Hudson. "And we're not looking for perfect people."

For more information, call 402-9001.