DECC Gives Back – To Parents Posted on January 8, 2019August 10, 2022 by Chris Johnson Inspiration Winter in Duluth is tough. Very tough. For families like my own, summers are spent outdoors enjoying the sunshine and fresh air; by the time December rolls around, snow is blowing, schools are rampant with cold viruses, and kiddos are growing tired of the mundane indoor activities. Parents try to create new opportunities for their tots to stimulate their brains and bodies. In fact, there are plenty of indoor options for activities in our area. Fun, exciting places that build upon their imagination. Ultimately, however, you miss the ability to let them run free in the yard without restrictions, expectations, or societal norms (sharing and socks are overrated when you’re three). This sparked the inspiration for our first ever DECC Pop Up Play Event. (Follow the link to see photos!) With more than 250,000 square feet of space in the entire facility, the DECC was an optimal solution to host families with cabin fever. The Lake Superior Ballroom was perfect for the occasion: 26,000 square feet of wide-open space, Carpet, Large windows, Skywalk access, Plenty of restrooms, A family restroom, and An empty room across the hall for a separate calm space. This past Saturday, January 5, families from Duluth and surrounding areas were invited to enjoy our facility obligation free. Varied play equipment was contributed by local organizations geared for families with children aged 8 and under to provide a morning of unstructured physical and mental play. Indoors, of course. You know what happened? 600(!!!) guests arrived in a matter of three hours. IT WAS SO MUCH FUN. Kids ran and jumped, scooted and kicked, imagined and read, climbed and leapt and skipped. They played tag. They laughed, boy did they laugh. And they left sweaty and tired. Success. Vendors Our vendors were amazing throughout the entire event. If you do business with any of the following, please continue to thank them for their contribution! 3 Owls Outdoor Play Consultants brought trees. Literal trees cut into stumps, stacked to create balance beams, a giant wooden xylophone, and great little building blocks. Plus, a fun climber with tree branch rungs on one side and webbed rope on the other kept kiddos busy and concentrated on the task at hand. Duluth Area YMCA provided a variety of fun equipment for all ages, including scooters, balls of all sizes, and expandable tunnels to crawl through. Duluth Public Library was a relaxing space for kids (or parents) seeking calm or mental stimulation. Books galore covered the table, where families sat together to read. The Library also provided a road mat with cars to play with, and plenty of coloring options. Lauralloons Balloon Art and Entertainment twisted balloons live throughout the entire event. Kiddos selected from a “menu” of balloon options including unicorns, swards, Cookie Monster, and babies. For display, a 6ft tall Belle of Beauty and the Best showcased Lauralloons’ skills to the entire room. Legacy Toys provided incredible games! Families could play board games or even online bingo for money together, giant Jenga and Connect Four, and large floor puzzles. Face painting had kids squealing with delight, while plasma cars raced around the taped track circling the area. Kickstarters Soccer was great for kids of all ages. Soccer balls zoomed around the back of the ballroom as kids and parents aimed for the nets. Frisbees soared through the air, and attendees jumped over small hurdles. Last, UMD’s bulldog mascot Champ delighted families with high fives and hopscotch challenges. Will we host another one? The event was a true delight. From the very start at 10am, faces lit up as these families entered the room. The Pop Up Play Event brought kids and parents together for fun activities they could both enjoy. At no cost. Many guests in attendance and beyond asked if we would host another event like this. We hope so. When a date is secured on the calendar, you’ll be sure to know. Thank you to our incredible vendors who volunteered their equipment and staff time to this event. Thank you, community, for your ongoing support. The DECC strives to be an asset in not only attracting tourism (and their dollars), but provide a place of entertainment, learning, engagement, and value for the Duluth community. You.
