Mark your calendars.

The fifth annual Children's Fun-N-Safety Fair is coming to Carbon County.The event, sponsored by Carbon Masonic Lodge 242 and partnered with Carbon County Safe Kids, will be held on Saturday, May 5, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Masonic Lodge, located at Fifth and Center streets in Jim Thorpe. The fair, which is open to all Carbon County children and their families, will be held rain or shine.At this year's fair, there will be safety programs such as fire safety; bike safety with a coconut-crusher demonstration, which shows why a child should wear a helmet; safety in and around cars; sun safety; water and animal safety; anti-bullying programs; as well as free lead screenings; and much more.Parents will also have the opportunity to have their child fingerprinted for their personal records in case anything ever happens to the child.There will also be free food and refreshments, as well as giveaways, face painting, crafts, demonstrations, Smokey Bear, and more.During an organizational meeting recently, the members of the Fun-N-Safety Fair committee met to discuss what needs to be done for this event to continue to be a success. They are currently working on obtaining sponsors for the fair and are asking for everyone's help.It takes an estimated $3,000 to cover the cost of the four-hour event, which is free to the public. Most of the cost is usually covered by area businesses' donations, but area donors are still needed.Donations can be sent to either Jerry Dotter, Mason, 20 Smith Circle, Jim Thorpe, PA 18229; or Mindy Graver, Carbon County Safe Kids, Penn State Extension, 529 Lentz Trail, Jim Thorpe, PA 18229. Make checks payable to "Carbon Lodge 242 Children's Safety Day" and mail it by April 20.They ask that if you are a business donor please include the business' name, address, contact person, telephone number and e-mail address with the donation.The group is also looking for volunteers to help work some of the stands at the fair.To become a volunteer or for any questions, contact Dotter at (570) 325-2420 or Graver at (570) 325-2788 or email

mjg26@psu.edu.In 2010, over 500 children and adults attended the Fun-N-Safety fair.