Carbon County officials want to educate the public about the importance of being safe.

On Saturday, May 4, state and county agencies will converge on Mauch Chunk Lake Park to host the Carbon County Community Safety Day. The free event, formerly known as the Children's Fun-N-Safety Fair that was held annually along Fifth Street in Jim Thorpe, will be hosted by state Sen. John T. Yudichak, the Carbon County Commissioners, Carbon County Safe Kids and Carbon Masonic Lodge 242.Families from Carbon County are welcome to the event, which will be held in the swimming area of Mauch Chunk Lake Park, Lentz Trail, Jim Thorpe, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will be held rain or shine.On Friday, members of the organizational committee met to continue planning for the day.Mindy Graver, chairperson of Carbon County Safe Kids, said that she is excited by the new partnership with Yudichak.Bill Richards, legislative aide to Yudichak, said that the senator was looking to organize a safety program after all the drownings in the Lehigh River last summer and all the accidents that occurred on the trails leading to Glen Onoko."He was concerned and wanted to get a community program together to educate the public on water and trail safety," Richards said, adding that he reached out to Carbon County Commissioner Wayne Nothstein, who led him to the Fun-N-Safety Fair committee."It was the perfect combination," he said, noting that this fair will provide more than just the water safety Yudichak wanted to provide.During the event, over 50 agencies and organizations will be set up throughout the park to educate children and their parents about various safety issues, including water safety, animal safety, fire safety, bicycle safety, poison control, and more. Some agencies that will be set up include the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, Carbon County Environmental Center, DCNR Forest Fire Specialist, Carbon County Fire Chiefs Association, St. Luke Miners Hospital, Blue Mountain Health System, Carbon County Sheriff's Office, and the Carbon County Animal Response Team.Emergency responders, including fire, police, and medical staff will also be showcased.In addition, fun activities, like tree climbing; face painting; and the coconut crusher demonstration, which shows the importance of wearing a helmet are planned; and free food and giveaways will be available.Registration information is now being sent to agencies who have expressed interest in participating.For more information on being part of the event, becoming a volunteer, or donating, contact Graver at (570) 325-2788 or email

mjg26@psu.edu.