Jeffrey Salveson was one of the few adults without children at the Grand Forks Family Fun Night in University Park on Thursday. But he had no shortage of children to attend to. Salveson, a "full-time professional comedy magician and balloon twister," entertained kids with the latter as he manipulated various balloon hats, flowers, swords and animals for the crowd forming around his stand. "I'm as enthusiastic as the kids," he said about participating in the event. "They're usually pretty excited about the balloon animals. I'll see people go through the line several times."
The free event, originally scheduled for Tuesday, was moved to Thursday after a wind advisory prompted the Grand Forks Park District to cancel the fun night, along with Movie in the Park. But that didn't stop families from showing up on Thursday, and other activities in the park saw just as much attention as Salveson. Children formed lines to play in bouncy houses, try their luck on a Plinko board, made famous by the popular TV game show "The Price Is Right," and dance to Disney songs. Free pizza, lemonade and fruit were also given out at the event. "We've been coming every two to three years," Grand Forks resident Amanda Richardson said. "It's a nice change of pace for the kids." Richardson's two sons, Caleb, 2 and Rylan, 6, played with a balloon dog and a balloon sword. "I also like to jump in the Wipe Out (bouncy obstacle course)," Rylan Richardson said. "It's fun." The night wrapped up with a showing of "Big Hero," which began at sundown at University Park. The next Movie in the Park will also begin at sundown at Riverside Park, where the Park District will show "Cinderella."Jeffrey Salveson was one of the few adults without children at the Grand Forks Family Fun Night in University Park on Thursday. But he had no shortage of children to attend to.Salveson, a "full-time professional comedy magician and balloon twister," entertained kids with the latter as he manipulated various balloon hats, flowers, swords and animals for the crowd forming around his stand."I'm as enthusiastic as the kids," he said about participating in the event. "They're usually pretty excited about the balloon animals. I'll see people go through the line several times."
The free event, originally scheduled for Tuesday, was moved to Thursday after a wind advisory prompted the Grand Forks Park District to cancel the fun night, along with Movie in the Park.But that didn't stop families from showing up on Thursday, and other activities in the park saw just as much attention as Salveson. Children formed lines to play in bouncy houses, try their luck on a Plinko board, made famous by the popular TV game show "The Price Is Right," and dance to Disney songs.Free pizza, lemonade and fruit were also given out at the event."We've been coming every two to three years," Grand Forks resident Amanda Richardson said. "It's a nice change of pace for the kids."Richardson's two sons, Caleb, 2 and Rylan, 6, played with a balloon dog and a balloon sword."I also like to jump in the Wipe Out (bouncy obstacle course)," Rylan Richardson said. "It's fun."The night wrapped up with a showing of "Big Hero," which began at sundown at University Park. The next Movie in the Park will also begin at sundown at Riverside Park, where the Park District will show "Cinderella."
