Celebrate Kids Day 2025 Brings Fun, Family, and a Surprise Honor to Warren County

From rock walls to ponies and everything in between, Celebrate Kids Day 2025 delivered a joyful Sunday afternoon full of laughter, learning, and local pride. Hosted by the Warren Coalition, the annual event returned on September 28 to the Health and Human Services Complex (formerly the 15th Street Gym), drawing hundreds of families from across Warren County.

This year marked the 12th time the event has been held locally, and it was filled with new attractions, including giant inflatable orb balls, a redesigned prize punch card system, and the ever-popular Pitch Burst—a splashy twist on the traditional dunk tank where local leaders get soaked by water balloons for a cause.

The biggest “burst” of the day, however, came not from a water balloon but from a surprise moment in the gymnasium—when Christa Shifflett, Executive Director of the Warren Coalition, was honored with a House of Delegates resolution recognizing her 15 years of leadership and the Coalition’s 30th anniversary of service.

Christa Shifflett, Executive Director of the Warren Coalition, is surprised with a Virginia House of Delegates resolution presented by Delegate Delores Oates recognizing the Coalition’s 30 years of service and Shifflett’s 15 years of leadership during Celebrate Kids Day 2025.

The resolution, presented by Delegate Delores Oates of District 31, commended the Coalition’s far-reaching impact across the county, encompassing youth development, substance misuse prevention, trauma support, and recovery programs. Oates, sharing her personal connection to the cause, said the Coalition’s work had made “the greatest difference” in the lives of local families, including her own.

The recognition took Shifflett by surprise—co-workers had kept it quiet until the moment arrived. The audience erupted in applause, clearly moved by the heartfelt gesture and years of dedication behind it.

Pitch Burst With a Purpose

While the resolution added a serious note to the day, most of the action stayed upbeat and fun—especially around the Pitch Burst station. This year’s top fundraiser was Warren County Sheriff Crystal Cline, who raised $1,945 for the Coalition and earned the traveling trophy, a prize formerly held by George McIntyre for the past three years.

Warren County Sheriff Crystal Cline takes a splash during the Pitch Burst at Celebrate Kids Day 2025 after raising $1,945 for the Warren Coalition—earning her the traveling trophy and plenty of cheers from the crowd. Below: Our own reporter Brenden McHugh got in on the action, too. Royal Examiner photos by Brenden McHugh.

With 13 brave participants each aiming to raise at least $500, Pitch Burst proved to be one of the event’s biggest attractions—and a major source of funding for Coalition programs that support kids, families, and community wellness.

Building Resilient Kids Through Play

At the heart of the day was the Coalition’s mission: building resilience. Games were designed not just to entertain, but to encourage kids to keep trying, even if they didn’t succeed the first time. Rather than handing out instant prizes, the new punch card system allowed kids to save stamps and trade them in for bigger rewards—like board games, sports balls, and craft kits—teaching the value of patience and goal-setting.

Children laugh and jump on the colorful bounce houses at Celebrate Kids Day 2025, enjoying one of the many activities designed to bring families together and build resilience through play. Below, let’s not forget about the horses.

“We want to give kids a chance to learn that failing the first time doesn’t mean you give up,” explained Nick Croft, who has served with the Coalition for 17 years. “Resilience is key to mental health, success in school, and avoiding risky behaviors later on.”

Activities also included a petting zoo, pumpkin painting for the first 200 kids, face painting, and live performances inside the gym. Families took part in a classic cake walk and a “health walk,” where kids won prizes like basketballs and footballs for engaging in active fun.

A Coalition That Cares

The Warren Coalition has been serving the community for more than 30 years. Beyond Celebrate Kids Day, their work encompasses a range of initiatives, including early literacy and teen leadership programs, as well as recovery housing and mental health support. The organization also works behind the scenes on projects that improve physical activity and health—such as helping fund new courts, playgrounds, and walking paths across Warren County.

This year’s event was made possible by many generous sponsors, including Rotary Clubs of Warren County and Northern Shenandoah Valley, Wells Fargo, City National Bank, Front Royal Dental Care, and Northwestern Community Services Board, among others.

One especially fun donation came from Play Favorites, who gifted large stuffed “Bumpers” to spice up the prize area.

Looking Ahead

The crowd was full of familiar faces and longtime supporters—some of whom had stories to share about chilly Pitch Burst moments from years past. But as the event grows, it continues to draw in new families, volunteers, and young people eager to get involved.

By the end of the afternoon, with music still playing and stamp cards full, the message was clear: every child matters, and every effort to support them counts.

The Coalition’s work isn’t just about one day of fun. It’s about giving kids and families the tools to grow stronger together—and Celebrate Kids Day is just one colorful, laughter-filled piece of that mission.

Thanks to Brenden McHugh for his assistance in this story – and for being a good sport.