Families gathered for X-Stream Family Day at Riverwalk Park on April 22 to promote family togetherness.
A coalition of Families First, Kern County Network of Churches and the Jesus Shack spearheaded this event in an effort to reach out to Bakersfield families in a Christian-based atmosphere providing live Christian music and booths for children’s games, food, and information about local churches. Christian group Go Fish came from Minnesota to perform a live concert for hundreds of children and their families at Brighthouse’s amphitheater. Go Fish’s slogan “Great music for kids that won’t drive parents bonkers” influenced their sales of CDs and videos.
Food and beverages were sold at booths set up by local businesses, such as Little Caesar’s Pizza, Subway and Jitterbug Express. Game booths consisted of activities like the bean bag toss and face painting as well as a booth set up by Solomon’s Porch, which offered child IDs for $10 for one child or $25 for the family.
Assembled by Laurelglen Bible Church, The Truth Booth was occupied by Pastor Phil Stanglord who conducted surveys “that help people consider where they are at in their spiritual life” as well as getting to know people’s opinions of their overall experience of X-Stream Family Day. Stanglord had people in and out of The Truth Booth, asking them questions about Heaven and God and “if you were to die today, do you know where you would go?”Stanglord’s efforts were to reach out to those who were “unchurched” and in need of spiritual peace.
As uncooperative as the weather was with the wind slamming into tents, X-Stream Family Day attendees weren’t discouraged. Heading toward the amphitheater in gusty winds, mother of five, Gina Haun said, “We’re just grateful it hasn’t rained on us.” The X-Steam Family Day event attempted to cover as many categories as possible in one condensed day. Lasting from 3 p.m. until almost 8 p.m., participants in the event were able to join together many families, get out a Christian message and get a feel for the success rate for another possible X-Stream Family Day in the near future.