The Excelsior Springs Chamber of Commerce organized “Kid’s Day Out,” a sold-out trolley tour for a group of children and their families this past Wednesday, August 7th. The event, which started at 11:00 AM and ended at approximately 1:00 PM and featured stops at the police station, fire station, and Dari-B, was a hit from start to finish.
The day began at the Chamber office, where “Papa Joe” Arthur, the trolley driver, and Lindsey Hall, the Chamber Trolley Director, welcomed the young adventurers. With excitement in the air, the trolley set off for the first stop on their itinerary: the Excelsior Springs Police Department (ESPD). Upon arrival, the children were greeted by Sergeant Nash, Lieutenant Dowdy, Officer Cramer, and Officer Chaffee. The officers led the kids on an educational and fun station tour, highlighting various facilities. Notable stops included the jail cells, the detectives’ offices, and the dispatch room.
After they visited the police department, the kids continued their journey to the Excelsior Springs Fire Department. There, they had the opportunity to explore the fire trucks, climbing aboard before the fire team connected the water hoses. From the top of the aerial ladder, the firefighters demonstrated the powerful jets of water, creating an hour of splashing fun for the kids. The water play was especially refreshing on the warm summer day. Following the aquatic activities, Captain Guthrie led a tour of the fire station, showing the kids around and even handing out fire hats as souvenirs.
The final stop of the day was the famous Dari-B. The children capped off their trolley adventure with ice cream, choosing between a cone or a dish.
The day’s festivities were partially inspired by a heartfelt email from one of the parents in attendance whose child is a fan of the PBS show, “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood.” Amber, originally from California, expressed her enthusiasm for the unique experience. “Back in February, I wanted to find a trolley that looked exactly like the one from the show. The only one in the area was in Excelsior Springs, so I reached out to the Chamber. We’re originally from California, and they don’t do anything like this there. It’s one of the reasons we love the Midwest and especially Excelsior Springs,” she shared.
The success of the sold-out event was evident in the children’s smiles and laughter throughout the day. According to Hall, the overwhelming response has encouraged the Chamber to plan more events like this in the future.
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