Kids Day is today at HITS horse show

Sunday promises to be the largest Kids Day ever hosted at a HITS show site. Officially titled "Resort Sports Network's Kids Day, presented by Douglas County Parks and Recreation Department and the Douglas County Library," the event will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the HITS Tahoe show grounds in Minden. Admission is free for children 12 and under. They are invited - along with their parents - to stay for the $50,000 EMO Grand Prix at 1p.m.

Organizers have set aside one acre of the 100-acre showgrounds to accommodate the festivities and more than 1,000 children are expected.

Warren Bottino from the Parks and Recreation Department and Linda Wilson from the library have been working on the event for several months and have lined up a activities and entertainment for the kids, including pony rides offered by High Sierra Stables; an appearance by "Blooper" the Clown; fire engine squirt hose game hosted by the fire district; DARE car with Douglas County Sheriff's Office DARE officer; hobby horse rides, book display, paper arts and crafts hosted by the Douglas County Library; carnival games, arts and crafts, balloons, and face painting, hosted by the Douglas County Parks and Recreation Department; horse grooming demonstration conducted by the Douglas County Sierra Riders; a petting zoo with a calf, rooster, goat, and potbelly pig; Super Jump; rabbit and entomology exhibits hosted by Bunny Hoppers; hay ride pulled by a special tractor.

There will be raffles and prizes throughout the three-hour event. Resort Sports Network is the title sponsor and RSN television crews will be on the grounds filming. KGVM Radio is the official broadcast station for the day. General manager Lloyd Higuera will host a live broadcast from the showgrounds and will use breaks during the regular 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. radio programming to interview kids and their parents. Food and beverages will be available.

At 12:45 p.m. in the Grand Prix ring, just prior to the $50,000 EMO Grand Prix, eight to10 horses from the Douglas County Sheriff's Posse will give a demonstration of mounted crowd control.

Following the demonstration, the posse's color guard will ride in formation around the arena carrying flags during the singing of the National Anthem. The posse will have a booth in the Kids Day area to display photos and trophies and will answer questions.

Nine-year-old Mackenzie Cauley of Gardnerville will sing "The Star Spangled Banner." She will be in the fourth grade at Scarselli Elementary School.

"I am very pleased that Douglas County can be a part of HITS Tahoe Kids Day," said Dan Holler, Douglas County manager.

"This day is all about family and kids enjoying a great event in Douglas County. Kids Day gives our Parks and Recreation Department and library the opportunity to excel in the things they do best - provide family fun and learning experiences throughout our community."

The United States Pony Club, S.P.R., is the HITS Charity Partner this week and Pony Clubbers and their parents will be taking tickets and directing parking.

A percentage of the gate fee is donated to the Pony Club.

HITS plans to make Kids Day an annual event at HITS Tahoe. HITS Tahoe Showgrounds is at the intersection of Highway 395 and Stockyard Road.

Parking is free.

Contact Mary Hilton, HITS Media and Public Relations, 1901 North Highway 395, Minden, telephone 783-8907, fax: 775.783.8361. Website is www.hitsshows.com.