Their first stop was at the Fit For Fun Center’s Big Wheel Party.  Intended for children under five years of age, the young drivers were invited to navigate laps around an indoor and outdoor track with their bicycles, tricycles, scooters, and cars, meet special guests, and experience a miniature Checkers drive-thru for a special snack.

The Wilmington Police Department was on hand to help direct traffic and also give the youngsters a glimpse at one of the department’s Segways that are used primarily downtown.  Also representing Wilmington’s emergency response divisions were firefighters showing off one of their engines and paramedics giving tours of an ambulance.

The Fit For Fun Center is part of the City of Wilmington and gives children a glimpse into many facets of learning including interaction with others their own age, science activities where the young students can view plant samples through magnifying glasses, exploring wave tubes, and looking through rainbow glasses.  For more information about the Fit For Fun Center, contact a staff member at (910) 341-4630.

Not very far from the Fit For Fun Center, Sharky and the Sharks brass visited the Stop the Violence Rally of Wilmington at Robert Strange Park.  Among those representing area businesses were Time Warner Cable and Coast 97.3 FM.  Also on hand was Wilmington Mayor Bill Saffo and District Attorney Ben David.  Saffo delivered a short speech at the start of the event.

The rally’s attendance wasn’t as large as event organizers had planned, but that didn’t stop those that did make it out from reliving the memory of Robert Marshall, Jr., a 23-year-old man murdered this past March.  Those in attendance either knew Mr. Marshall or were related to those whose lives were also cut way too short.

The organizers of the event plan on doing another rally, and are looking forward to reaching their goal of 1,000 or more in attendance to help make Wilmington’s streets safer.

The Wilmington Sharks are a member of the Coastal Plain League, the nation’s hottest summer collegiate baseball league.  Celebrating its 12th season, the Coastal Plain League features 14 teams playing in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia.  The CPL gives college players the chance to refine their skills with the use of wooden bats.  Players are housed with local host families for the summer and past experiences have been very positive for both players and hosts.  For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit www.coastalplain.com.