The Shinnston pool will be offering more events geared toward older kids this season. It’s part of an effort to be more inclusive and offer more variety in terms of entertainment.
This season the pool calendar will feature three night swims. Geared toward teenagers, the night swims will be open to anyone age 13 and over. They will be able to swim from 6:00-10:00 p.m. for just $3. Each night swim will have additional entertainment, too.
“We plan to have a DJ when possible, and we also want to do theme nights,” says Community Development Director Reuben Perdue. “So one of the night swims may be a luau, and maybe another will be an 80’s night or something along those lines. The lifeguards are really looking forward to it. They’ll be picking the themes.”
There will also be a chance for younger kids to swim at night. On June 26, the night of the Relay for Life event at the park, the pool will host a night swim that is open to anyone, but those under age 13 must be accompanied by an adult.
The popular Family Night events return this year as well. On those nights, anyone can swim for $1 from 6:00 until 9:00 p.m. When the swimming concludes, Cartoon Headquarters will set up their inflatable screen for a free movie in the Ferguson Park Performance Center. Perdue says Family Nights have become a staple event.
“They’ve been very popular. Last year when we showed Monsters University, we had one of the characters from the movie there to meet the kids, and over 200 people came out, so we hope to do more like that this year and keep the crowds coming back,” Perdue added. “It’s a great night and a great way to spend the evening with the family.”
Perdue says they’ve scheduled Family Nights and the night swims during the same weeks all summer so that neither group feels left out or has to wait a long time before the event geared toward them.
Mark your calendars for these special evening activities!
Family Nights ($1 swimming 6:00-9:00 & movie) are: June 15, July 13, and August 3
Night swims (age 13 +, $3 swimming 6:00-10:00) are: June 19, July 15, and August 7
Relay for Life Night Swim (any age, but under 13 must have an adult, $3 6:00-10:00 p.m.) on June 26
The pool will open for the season on May 23; at that time season passes will be available for purchase. Regular pool hours are noon to 6 p.m.
