Day of the Children

Issue: June 2023

Big Brothers Big Sisters of WNC (Jackson and Macon counties), Boys and Girls Club of the Plateau, the International Friendship Center, and two new partners, the Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library, and La Alianza-WNC Collective of Haywood County, are joining forces to provide an afternoon of fun, food, and entertainment for children and their families on the Plateau and in neighboring counties.

From 2:00 to 5:00 P.M. Saturday, June 3, the Baseball Field at the Cashiers/Glenville Recreation Center will be transformed into festival grounds, complete with music, games, dancing, water activities, and Latin street foods. A Mexican holiday generally celebrated at the end of April, Día del Niño or Day of the Children, is returning to the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau in June.

In Mexico, the holiday is as big as Mother’s Day or Father’s Day; shopping malls host special events, museums and zoos give special children’s discounts, and people hand out small, traditional toys to children they encounter throughout the day. Día del Niño celebrates the contribution to a community that children bring and is an opportunity to shower our kiddos with love.

“I was beyond humbled to see over 250 folks come out and have fun last year,” explains Danielle Hernandez, Senior Program Coordinator and Equity Team Leader for Big Brothers Big Sisters. “We are really looking forward to continuing to build this event each year. Our communities come together in such a special way for Dia del Nino, bringing their passions for children, culture, and service!”

The June 3 event will feature games and activities for children and families, such as piñatas, traditional Mexican dancing, tug-o-war, foam party, sack races, water balloons, face painting, Zumba lessons, and musical chairs. Each child who attends will receive a free event t-shirt this year. There will also be refreshments, including tamales, popcorn, beverages, elotes, and churros! El Dia del Niño is completely free for all attendees.

“We had a great event last year. I still look back and am so proud of how these organizations all came together and created such a wonderful experience for the young people in our community. I feel like we are establishing an awesome tradition for Cashiers [and Highlands] and the Plateau and I am really looking forward to June,” TJ Smith, Executive Director of the International Friendship Center shared.

“We would like to extend a number of special thank you’s to the following folks supporting the 2023 Dia del Nino: Jackson County Parks and Recreation – Cashiers-Glenville (site manager Saxton), Ingles of Cashiers (store manager Jeremy), Whiteside Brewing and Elevated Kitchen (manager Justin), and First Citizens Bank (banking extraordinaires Jaret and Hank),” said Hernandez.