Nine-year-old Justice Cokley was pulled in all directions when he arrived at Roberto Clemente School on a recent Wednesday. From one part of the school’s sprawling field, he could see kids streaming into a bounce house, laughter bubbling up inside. In another, families grabbed free popsicles and ice cream sandwiches from the ice cream truck Delicioso CoCo Helado. A third, and people popped into the On The Spot entertainment truck, ready to make friends through video games.
On a sticky July Wednesday, Justice was one of over 100 people at the City of New Haven’s Family Fun Day, a weekly event that has become, in the last four years, something of a citywide summer tradition. Hosted by the city’s Youth and Recreation Department (YARD) and funded with pandemic relief dollars, the action-packed afternoons are meant to give students a safe space to gather and enjoy themselves when school is not in session.
The afternoons include free food, hair styling stations, bounce houses, a water slide, gaming spots and a water table from the Regional Water Authority. Two remain: August 7 at East Rock Park, and August 14 at Scantlebury Park. All are on Wednesdays between 2:30 and 5:30 p.m.
“We wanna make sure we're spreading the love,” said Ronald “Ronnie” Huggins, deputy director at YARD. “We love that Roberto is in the heart of the Hill, there's such a diverse population over here and we love the fact that there are three schools within a block radius. So we’re able to engage a lot of students.”
On a recent Wednesday, the magic of the afternoon came alive for Justice, a student in New Haven (he did not want to share the name of his elementary school) looking for something to do over the summer. “I'm here today for this wonderful full day … there's food trucks everywhere,” he said. “My favorite part of this day is the free food.”
Family Fun Day isn’t just for kids, others pointed out. Rising High School in the Community (HSC) senior Josiah Veloza was at the event playing soccer with incoming Yale freshman Jonathan Calderon.
“We both play for Vision FC [Football Club], it's a team my friend made and he recruited us so we could play matches,” Calderon said. “We were just here practicing and before we knew it there were people everywhere. Free food, entertainment and information, I hope they do it again here.”
Top: Hunter and Nathan Castillas. Bottom: On The Spot gaming truck welcomes attendees.
The fun extended to several of the vendors. Based in West Haven, On The Spot Is owned by brothers Joel and Adrian Pate, and has for multiple years brought entertainment to the Family Fun days across New Haven. Wednesday, teens packed into the game truck, playing NBA 2K24, WWE 2K24, Fortnite, Nickelodeon Cart Races all on the PS5 and Xbox Series for people of all ages to enjoy with their friends.
“Feels good to help the community and let the kids enjoy it. Some kids don't have that type of game system at home so they can come out and enjoy it here,” Joel Pate said.
Hot 93.7’ s Jenny Boom Boom and DJ Meechie were also at the event, there to get out into the community and meet their listeners. Both said the sight of families together brings them joy.
“You can't beat it, it's a great positive event for the city of NH, so of course we want to be a part of it,” Jenny Boom Boom said.
Meanwhile, Jimmy Nigretti kept the hot dogs coming. Normally parked in front of City Hall, Nigretti runs Joe Does It Best Hotdogs. The business stretches back to the 1980s, when he first bought a truck in New York. He’s been in New Haven for decades.
As a self-described hot dog expert, he was excited to help with Family Fun Day because he loves introducing his flavors to potential new and familiar customers alike.
“I try my best, I look my best, because I am the best!” he said. New york cart, got this cart from NY,” said Nigretti
As he watched the crowd grow, Huggins took it all in.
“All of our vendors are from New Haven, so we want to make sure that we show love across the city,” he said. “This is what it’s about. Kids can come out here and have a good time, while at the same time families can come out and get access to information.”
He shouted out the Livable City Initiative (LCI) and other city departments that had turned out, and will be at the event each week. “[Our] community partners that are out here to make sure that families have what they need to be successful through the summer.”
This article comes from the 2024 Cohort of the Youth Arts Journalism Initiative. Abraham Perez Orozco is a rising senior at Hill Regional Career High School, where he is student council president-elect.