Several hundred people attended a program held by the Jim Thorpe Community Watch on Saturday at Memorial Park.

The event included a costume parade, games, crafts, refreshments, face painting, and other recreational activities.Jamie Solomon, a coordinator, said the event was sponsored by the JimThorpe Community Watch. It's the third year for the festival.She said attendance was quadrupled from last year's event."It's our celebration for the kids," she said. "Everything is free except hay rides and food. Money from that goes to next year's event."Jim Thorpe Chief of Police Joe Schatz offered fingerprinting of children.Buster the Clown made balloon creations.There was a "fishing site" where everybody had a catch, which was a bag of surprises.Solomon said everybody who attended received gift certificates provided by McDonald's, Burger King and Subway restaurants; a small pumpkin to paint; and popcorn.About 50 children took part in a costume parade which included princesses, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and monsters."We want to show the kids in town a good time," Solomon said.Tracey Marten said, "I think this is wonderful. I brought my two children and they're having a wonderful time.""I thank the Community Watch for taking such an initiative," she said.The setting proved ideal.Besides the variety of events by Community Watch, children could have fun on the playground, which has such rides as a bulldozer, climbing bars, a merry-go-round, swings and sliding boards.