Rev Brown, 9, of John Day takes the plunge from the top of the Daredevil Island bounce house.

PRAIRIE CITY — Happy children sprinted across the grass at Prairie City School on Saturday, June 24, racing to be first in line for one of several giant inflatable bounce houses set up along one edge of the athletic field.

The colorful, air-filled structures had names like Bear Camp, Animal Kingdom and Daredevil Island, and they drew kids with an irresistible force.

Parents stood by or lounged in folding chairs while vendors served up hamburgers, hot dogs and sno-cones.

It was all part of Family Fun Day, an annual summer event sponsored by Families First Parent Resource Center, the Frontier Early Learning Hub and Community Health Partnership.

In addition to the bounce houses, there were other games and activities and a scattering of booths offering child care referrals, bike helmets, health screenings, parenting resources and wellness information.

Pablo De la Cruz of John Day was at the event with his daughter, Mary Bella, 5, for the second straight year. He held her shoes and kept watch as she ran barefoot through the grass from one bounce house to another.

“I was joking with one of the other parents that they should change the name to Parents Wait Around While Their Kids Have Fun Day,” he said.

“But it’s great for the kids,” he hastened to add. “They get to meet their friends, which is always great — especially when school’s out.”