Valentine Dance will continue under Rotary

Popular events that attract perhaps 1,000 Enumclaw kids and their families were not funded as part of Enumclaw’s 2011 city budget, but that doesn’t mean they’re gone for good.

Popular events that attract perhaps 1,000 Enumclaw kids and their families were not funded as part of Enumclaw’s 2011 city budget, but that doesn’t mean they’re gone for good.

Money for the Christmas breakfast Magical Morning, the annual Easter egg hunt and October’s traditional Halloween party was withheld as the Parks and Recreation Department and members of the City Council struggled to match revenues with expenditures.

But Recreation Manager Michelle Larson is optimistic something can be done to save the popular offerings.

“There is hope of salvaging these things as far as I’m concerned,” she said. “I believe there are groups in the community who want to step up and make these happen.”

Faced with a budget crunch, Larson explained, Parks and Recreation first saved those programs that break even or show a profit, things like the summertime Camp Commotion and youth and adult sports offerings.

Another well-attended event, the annual Father-Daughter Dance, already has been saved. As soon as the department’s budget plight was made known, Larson said, the Enumclaw Rotary Club agreed to take on the dance. Parks and Recreation will still be involved, but in a lesser role.

As for the programs still in limbo, Magical Morning attracts about 300 kids and parents, the egg hunt has between 400 and 500 kids involved and the Halloween party draws close to 300 kids, Larson said.