Munch, Mingle, Move 2026

Head Start/Early Head Start of Fayette County held their 20^th annual Munch, Mingle, and Move Event on May 21, 2026 at the Fayette County Fairgrounds in Dunbar, Pennsylvania.  The event is based on educating families on good health/nutrition habits. The 20^th annual event was “Game On! For Healthy Fun at Munch Mingle and Move” with a board game theme.  This year we had 98 families that consisted of 144 adults (31 of these were males), 123 enrolled children and 21 siblings attend the Munch, Mingle, and Move event. This represents a total of 288 attendees!

The day started with families arriving at 10:00 am either by Head Start buses/vans or by transporting themselves to the Fayette County Fairgrounds Fiddler building. The families were welcomed by our staff at registration where they signed in.  Each family received a bag at check-in that included a “Monsters Don’t Eat Broccoli” book, deck of children’s cards games, and dry erase game board.   The families then were able to explore the activities, community agencies and have photos taken at the photo booth.  Families were able to dig for bones in a game of Operation, they were able to race to make a meal in Super Market Sweep, and children gathered ping pong balls to represent big gulps of water in Hungry, Hungry Hippos!  There were 26 community agencies and 16 different activities for families to explore.

Community agencies this year included representatives from different insurance agencies, Alternative Yes, and Summit Legal Aid plus many more.  Also in attendance were different programs represented from the Private Industry Council that had information for our families to explore.  Cornerstone Care Dental was on hand providing families with the opportunity of having a dental exam. Eight families were given a dental exam with it being the first time for several of the children.

Some of the other activities included Clue, Go Fish, and Hungry, Hungry Hippo.  Families were able to complete craft activities where they were able to do relaxation Pictionary and spin art with the ladies from Spring Valley – Bruderhoff.  Our little visitors were able to enjoy a crawling baby area with stuffed baby animals and playing peek a boo.  Families were able to try different types of cheese and crackers, Rice cakes and jam, basil dip with different types of bread.  A grazing table style lunch was provided and served that included a ham or turkey sandwich, bananas, oranges, a variety of pickles, broccoli, cauliflower goldfish crackers, and water.

The event was over at 2:00 pm. When families were done at the event, they filled out a post survey and names were drawn for donated items from the community vendors. The prizes were given to the staff to deliver to the enrolled families that attended.

One hundred percent of the families said they would attend another event and one hundred percent would refer another family to attend.  In addition, some of the activities families noted as their child enjoying most were the Jenga game, Fishing, Operation and Super Market Sweep. Several families also indicated they were happy with the photo booth and getting to pet the furs provided by the game commission.

One comment made by a family was “My child is shy, but coming here and seeing his friend, he comes out of his shell.” Several post – surveys included a Thank you from families and noting they look forward to coming back next year.