RENO, Nev. (KRNV & MyNews4.com) -- With a bounce house, oreo stacking and a giant cow, it may seem like all fun and games but these fairs are bringing community groups together for a common goal - children's safety.
"We just are the vehicle that delivers all that in one place," said Eric Bowlin, event coordinator for Sonic Boom Marketing.
Bowlin said they're helping kids and parents be prepared in a variety of scenarios, from teaching kids to budget money with marshmallows, to everyday bike safety, to every parent's worst nightmare - if a child goes missing.
We've got ID kits with fingerprints," Bowlin said. "These stay with the parents. [You] put them in a safe place and hope you never have to use them."
They're teaching the kids about stranger danger to try and prevent abductions in the first place.
"Just teaching our kids to take care of themselves when we can't take care of them," said Denice Challender-Slater, owner of West Coast Martial Arts on the Move.
Challender-Slater teaches the kids to keep a safe distance - at least five steps away from strangers.
"You tell strangers to not come close to you because they might hurt you," said 6-year-old Anahi.
Challender-Slater said the tips will also help with handling bullies.
"Not to be aggressive and not to be passive but to really be assertive," she said. "To use their voice as power, and that they're in charge of their own space and their own safety."
If you couldn't make it today, there are still five more free child safety fairs coming up:
April 13, Noon - 3 p.m.
Doughboy's Donuts
57 Damonte Ranch Pkwy., Reno
Sept. 21, Noon - 3 p.m.
Reno Toyota
2100 Kietzke Lane, Reno
Sept. 28, Noon - 3 p.m.
Home Depot
5125 Summit Ridge Ct., Reno
Oct. 5, Noon - 3 p.m.
Home Depot
6590 South Virginia St., Reno
Nov. 9, Noon - 3 p.m.
Scheels
1200 Scheels Blvd., Sparks
