Hundreds attend Family Day

Tech. Sgt. Nick Sanders, training manager with the 123rd Maintenance Operations Flight, talks with Patricia Krausman of the University of Kentucky during Family Day 2012 at the Kentucky Air Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., on Oct. 21, 2012. UK was one of many area schools and government agencies on hand to provide information to Airmen and their family members. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Maxwell Rechel)

Hundreds attend Family Day

Lt. Col. Kevin Morris of the 123rd Airlift Wing Plans Office, examines hats offered by a vendor during Family Day 2012 at the Kentucky Air Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., on Oct. 21, 2012. Airmen and their family members participated in a range of activities, including ?Christmas in October? and a picnic lunch. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Maxwell Rechel)

KyANG hosts Family Day

A guest enjoys a romp down an inflatable slide at the Kentucky Air National Guard's Family Day, held July 17, 2010 in Louisville, Ky. Some 1,600 Airmen and family were treated to barbecue, games, entertainment, rides and opportunities to learn about services available to members of the military community. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Phil Speck)

Kentucky Air Guard Family Day to offer events for all ages

Published July 11, 2014
By Staff Sgt. Vicky Spesard
123rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs

KENTUCKY AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, LOUISVILLE, Ky -- The 123rd Airlift Wing's annual Family Day will kick off here Sunday afternoon with a wide range of events for people of all ages.

Scheduled activities include a classic car and bike show, a C-130 static display, and tug-of-war and corn hole tournaments, according to Maj. Robert Geary, event coordinator. Child-friendly activities include a bounce house, slide, obstacle course, petting zoo, pony rides and a bicycle safety course.

Many of the children's activities will take place in air-conditioned tents, which will provide shelter in the event of inclement weather, Geary added.

Col. Barry Gorter, commander of the 123rd Airlift Wing, called Family Day a "tremendously important event" because it gives Airmen a chance to celebrate the essential support provided by family members.

"Our families are the ones who make the greatest sacrifice when we deploy or travel for work; our families are the ones who provide the stability we need in our homes, families and communities when duty calls us away," Gorter said. "Family Day is a small 'thank you' to each of our families. We truly couldn't perform our mission without their support."

The day's events will begin with a brief address from Gorter, who will welcome visitors, followed by lunch provided by the local chapter of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Hamburgers, hotdogs, chicken, potato salad, baked beans and cookies will be on the menu, Geary said, and popcorn will be available throughout the day.

An Army-Air Force Exchange Service store will offer a variety of items like televisions, gaming consoles, clothing, toys, military gear and sporting goods, while service providers like the Red Cross, Department of Veterans Affairs and safety vendors will provide information and demonstrations on home and personal safety.

Live entertainment is scheduled throughout the day from the Allen Lane Band, featuring country and southern rock, and a high school group known as BCB and Company, which will perform golden oldies, Geary said.

A silent auction also will be held, with proceeds to benefit future Family Day activities through the Key Volunteer Group, which is co-sponsoring this year's events along with the Office of Family Readiness and the Yellow Ribbon Program. Auction winners will be announced at 3 p.m.

On-base parking will be available for family members. The event is not open to the general public.