Best Friends retools Family Fun Day to include road races\, Americana painting

Tweaking traditions spanning more than two decades\, the \;Best Friends Mentoring Program \;(BFMP) is keeping youth and families a priority as it recreates \;Family Fun Day \;this summer.
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\nBFMP&rsquo\;s \;events\, which span 23 consecutive years during the Dickinson Roughrider Days\, will showcase a new mix of Americana traditional and outdoor family fitness for every age and ability. Jessica Dukart-Bell\, a local artist\, will lead a patriotic-themed canvas painting class in June and \;BFMP \;will host outdoor runs and walks on July 4 at the West River Community Center&rsquo\;s Leisure Park.
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\nEach one of the activities \;replaces \;the \;Family Fun Day \;giant inflatables and vendor show\, and will allow participants to follow social guidelines in the wake of COVID-19\, said \;BFMP \;Executive Director Kris Fehr.

&ldquo\;Promoting a healthy and safe environment with each one of these events is our No. 1 priority\,&rdquo\; sad Fehr. &ldquo\;We recognize individuals and families are seeking appropriate recreational activities and are confident these painting\, running and walking events will provide good options for our community.&rdquo\;

The painting class\, scheduled in late June\, will offer a relaxed\, group art class atmosphere to painters of any ability. The registration fee will include the canvas and other supplies.
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\nThe road races \;will feature an electronically timed ¼\;-mile youth competition\, one-mile walk and 5K and 10K runs near Leisure Park on the north side of the WRCC. Events will kick off at 8:30 a.m. and continue with staggered starts. Overall and age category winners will receive e-gift cards to local businesses in lieu of medals and trophies. \;
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\n&ldquo\;Runners and walkers will use the beautiful trails around the community center and in the Dickinson Research Extension Center while maintaining the recommended six-foot distancing\,&rdquo\; said organizer Mark Billings\, a \;BFMP \;coordinator. &ldquo\;We envision family-friendly activities closely monitored by volunteers at a time when people want to get out and do things together safely.&rdquo\; \;
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\nThe road races\, painting class \;and city fireworks display are among the events scheduled during the Roughrider Days and are subject to change. \;Family Fun Day \;with its entire scope of events is \;under close consideration \;as leaders mull alternative dates for the giant inflatables and vendor show. \;
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\n&ldquo\;We are mindful of the uncertainties families in our community face in the months ahead and hope to bring \;Family Fun Day \;back as soon as conditions are right\,&rdquo\; said Fehr.
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\nTo register for the painting class and road races\, visit \;www.bestfriendsnd.org. All race participants must pre-register before June 30. \;
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\nBFMP provides mentoring services to youth in southwest North Dakota. For information\, call (701) 483-8615. \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \;
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