LEWISTON – Moms and children throughout the community joined in Kennedy Park for Hope House’s second Baby Olympics on Sept. 8.

Music, puppets, balloons, popcorn, prizes and a clown added to the fun. But the main attraction was the 10 events in which little athletes competed, including crawl races, scooter derbies, push-toy marathons and toddler shot-put.

Hope House’s last Baby Olympics was held at Bates College, but this year staff wanted to reach more families in Lewiston’s innercity. They hoped that holding the event at Kennedy Park would better help them achieve that goal.

Directors report they could not be happier with the results, as they were able to connect with many new moms and children who needed to know about their services. The client numbers for their Pregnancy and Single Moms’ Support Center at 91 College St. have risen since holding the event.

The event’s location connected them with a wider cross-section of groups as well, which was another goal they had hoped to accomplish.

Hope House received local sponsorships as well as 46 businesses and churches that lent their support and individuals who participated.