Mother and Son Game Night kicks off summer in South Salt Lake

By Holly Vasic | [email protected]

Mother and Son Game Night kicked off the summer season May 4 in South Salt Lake at Central Park, 2797 S. 200 East with fun, food, and activities for families in the community.

The game night theme was evident throughout the event with hotdogs available in the brand-new concessions building. Sports Imaging Photography took photos of moms and their sons. And, activities, including shooting hoops to playing in inflatables, were available for all to enjoy. Many kids participating in the South Salt Lake Recreational Tee-Ball Junior Bees were in attendance — in fact a few games were wrapping up in the park when the event started so many kids were still in uniform. Dustin Permann, South Salt Lake City Recreation coordinator, said, “This is the first time we ran the event, and it was a lot of fun.”

 The game in Mother and Son Game Night, in part, stood for Scott’s Major League Baseball Pitch Hit and Run. Pitch Hit and Run, according to the league’s manual, is a national skills completion designed for ages 7 to 14, which gives children “the opportunity to showcase their pitching, hitting & running abilities in one of two divisions: baseball or softball.” Permann said over 40 kids participated and a handful of parents swung the bat as well. “We will continue to run the contest in conjunction with our Mother Son Game Night in the future.”

With temperatures in the high 70s, participants kept cool by enjoying the ice cream that was served. A watermelon eating contest was part of the entertainment and many kids enjoyed the challenge. The sweet sticky juice slid down their chins as they held their hands behind their backs and smashed their faces into the fruit. A few rounds were played, but every kid who participated was a winner considering they got a chance to get messy and eat a sweet treat.

Another favorite for families was the magic show put on by magician Scott Chamberlain of Great Scott Magic. He smashed bananas on his face and involved audience members of all ages, including mothers and sons. “We loved watching the magic show because it was funny and amazing,” said Katherine Jimenez, mother of three sons: Alessio, 9, Esaias, 5, and Eli, 3, as well as 1-year-old daughter named Erinne. “We really enjoyed the different bounce houses and that the weather was perfect that day,” she said. “Most of all, we appreciate being able to spend time together doing something fun outdoors.”

 The inflatables included a classic bounce house, an obstacle course, and one in which rotating foam arms swung around in a circle as kids attempted to jump and duck out of the way as they stood on what could be described as a lily pad.

Despite being called Mother and Son Game Night the evening was a fun event for the entire family and all were welcomed, including dads and daughters, and plenty attended. Just like South Salt Lake residents can expect the Daddy Daughter Dance to take place annually in February, Mother and Son Game Night hopes to be a staple in the community for years to come.