More than 200 children participated in activities like face painting during the Jamestown Tarp Skunks Kids Carnival, which took place on Friday at the team’s home game at Russell E. Diethrick, Jr. Park, located at 485 Falconer St.
P-J photos by Christopher Blakeslee
Face painting, several bounce houses, and a variety of games were organized to celebrate the Tarp Skunks’ young fan base. Vendors also participated in supporting the Tarp Skunks’ Kids Carnival Night, which commenced at 5:30 p.m., an hour prior to the team’s home baseball game.
“We’re out here selling some merchandise and supporting the Tarp Skunks and the kids,” said Christopher Saldarriaga, CEO of Uptwn Kix. “It’s all about the kids – we’re going to continue to do outreach for the kids in the community as much as possible.”
Saldarriaga mentioned that his footwear and clothing shop, situated at 117 W. Fourth St., established a complimentary face-painting station during the event, in addition to showcasing shoe customizations, Buffalo Bills throw blankets, and various other merchandise..
“I got my face painted like a lion,” said Sophiea Decker, 6, of Jamestown, and a first-grade student at Clinton V. Bush Elementary School. “The game was fun to watch, but I really liked jumping in the bounce houses and meeting the big skunk (Whiffy.)
Standing at the forefront, Odin P. Luck from Michigan returned to Russell E. Diethrick, Jr. Park one year later to throw out the ceremonial first pitch and to serve as the official batboy for the game on Friday. He was joined by his grandfather, Greg Peterson, a baseball enthusiast, Vice President of the Tarp Skunks Board of Directors, local attorney, and baseball aficionado before the start of the home baseball game.
Reflecting Decker’s sentiment, Bryan Dimuro, an 11-year-old homeschooled student, shared, “My favorite attraction was the bounce house joust station, but as a baseball fan, I also aim to collect autographs from the team. You never know who will make it to the big leagues; obtaining a rookie’s autograph could potentially bring significant money to my pockets.”
Organizing vibrant events such as the Skunk’s Kids Carnival embodies the leadership philosophy of Christian Dolce, the team’s General Manager and Director of Sales. His approach is centered around creating memorable experiences that foster community engagement and joy. Under Dolce’s leadership, these vibrant gatherings serve as a celebration of fun and creativity. They exemplify his dedication to fostering community and creating memorable experiences for attendees.
“This was our inaugural kids’ carnival,” Dolce remarked. “It was a great success, with over 100 children at times jumping, getting their faces painted, and enjoying themselves. My goal, both then and now, is to explore new and innovative ways to ensure our fans have the best possible baseball experience.”
This year, Odin P. Luck from Michigan returned as the honorary batboy for the Skunks’ home game and was invited to throw the ceremonial first pitch at the beginning of the game. Luck was highlighted in a photograph featured in the 2024 Post-Journal, Tarp Skunks’ Program Guide. He is also the grandson of Greg Peterson, a local attorney and baseball enthusiast who serves as the Vice-President of the Board of Directors for the Tarp Skunks.
“I’m a fan of the Detroit Tigers, but I love coming to the Tarp Skunks game,” said Luck. “The ball games are fun, and it’s great how you can interact with the players, get autographs, and just spend time with college ball players.”
A face painting station, and a tennis shoe display were provided by Uptwn Kix, owned by Christopher Saldarriaga, at the Jamestown Tarp Skunks’ Kids Carnival on Friday at the historic Russell E. Diethrick, Jr. Park.
Peterson mentioned that his grandson angrily confronted an umpire after Odin claimed the umpire missed a crucial call.
“What a character this kid is,” added Peterson.
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