Remember your favorite day in elementary school? Well, Field Day grows up on Saturday with three-legged races, tug-o-war, egg tosses and a dozen more just-for-fun events to benefit CHRIS Kids.
Atlanta Field Day takes place Saturday at Westminster Presbyterian Church. It’s the brainchild of Davis Kirby (photo), a gay Atlantan who is part mastermind, part coach, part referee and all big ol’ kid at the event. The vision came to him with a little help from his friends.
“I have a group of wonderful friends who have a very competitive Game Night—everything from ‘Chutes and Ladders’ to Wii,” Kirby says. “I was toying with the idea of some sort of game day, which led to Field Day.”
Kirby says he wasn’t the fastest or most agile kid back in elementary school, but it’s the spirit of the classic Field Day he wants to recapture.
“I always liked how people came together for a common cause,” he says. “Atlanta Field Day is an opportunity to embrace childhood games and competition all while raising money for a very great cause. The day is about 50 percent competition and 50 percent entertainment and laughs.”
And CHRIS Kids is a cause that LGBT Atlanta has grown to love. The organization, which specifically includes LGBT youth in its mission to assist down-on-their-luck children and teens in Georgia, is a beneficiary at multiple gay fundraisers throughout each year. Kirby says the reason is all in the group’s name.
“Creativity, Honor, Respect, Integrity and Safety – who wouldn’t want to give everything they have to an organization that holds these ideals in such high esteem?” he asks. “The underlying spirit of Atlanta Field Day and the ethics of CHRIS Kids dovetail perfectly – the spirit, energy and laughter that every child should be afforded. I just love what they do, and I wanted to help.”
Besides the throwback to more carefree days, Kirby aims to raise $10,000 for CHRIS Kids during Atlanta Field Day, and getting the word out through pre-events helped. The logistics of creating a first-annual anything takes gumption, work and a lot of buzz.
“It is hard getting something like this started when you are an unknown entity,” he says. “If I didn’t have the support that my sponsors and friends have shown me, there is no way this would have happened. To them, I will be forever grateful.”
Every bit of your entry fee is tax deductible and goes directly to CHRIS Kids, so if you want to join the 17 teams and 122 participants registered so far, check out the events schedule and register for specific events or join the team of your choice.
Then strap on your happy cap and fun shoes. It’s going to be the games you loved as a kid with some added bonuses you’ll appreciate as a grown up. There are even prizes. An afterparty at Woofs lets you make a day of it.
“I am so excited,” Kirby exclaims. “It promises to be a morning full of fun races, music by DJ Pat Weikle, entertainment, and a great time with friends. When was the last time you strapped yourself to your friend’s leg and ran for your life, or hopped in a potato sack or tried your talent at the hula?”
And even if you don’t want to compete, come cheer on the activities, mix and mingle. Everyone is welcome, Kirby says. Here’s the video he created to get you in the spirit:
