Tennis at Jefferson City KidsFest a Hit

Tornadoes, floods and the Covid-19 pandemic caused the long-running and popular Jefferson City KidsFest event to be canceled the past three years in succession. But this year’s rendition — which featured a tennis component — went off without a hitch June 5 at Ellis-Porter Riverside Park.

“These are great events to get everybody in the community involved,” said Jefferson City Parks and Recreation Program Manager Phil Stiles, who helped run Kidsfest. “It just highlights everything Jefferson City has for families and kids during the summer months as well as year-round activities.

Everybody was happy to be out in the park, I can tell you that.”

Stiles — who has worked in the Jefferson City Parks and Recreation department for 35 years — said KidsFest has been an annual summer staple for better than three decades. The fun-filled kickoff-to-summer event is dedicated to children and their families. It features games, demonstrations and activities free of charge.

An estimated 6,000 people attended the four-hour KidsFest event, with part of the afternoon’s festivities including some tennis fun. Michael Marotta — USTA Missouri and St. Louis tennis service representative — as well as two Jefferson City tennis staff members led kids in various tennis skill games.

Three miniature tennis courts were set up on a basketball court inside the park. Marotta helped promote the sport of tennis and lesson programs for youth players in the area. Jefferson City Parks and Recreation — which is a USTA member organization — hosts youth tennis lessons in the months of June and July.

“Everybody really had a good time,” Stiles said. “Lots of smiling faces whenever they left the tennis courts.”