Wednesday, August 2 marked the end of the New Heights Baptist Church Vacation Bible School. The finale was held at the Edmond Town Hall Gym and the related excitement was so amplified, it could actually be heard from the streets outside.

The air was filled with the sound of circus music as the gym was transformed into an inflatable carnival. Kids could be found tumbling in the bounce house or going down the slide. Others were busy playing the more skill-based games of Skee Ball and Zap-a-Mole. No matter the activity, everyone was having fun, even the adults who occasionally sped by on child-sized bikes.

This year’s theme was “Step Right Up.”

In a comment made to The Newtown Bee, Pastor Zach Kinsman stated this theme was meant to “encourage kids to shine their light for Christ to their friends and family.” This message was especially apparent during the small service he gave at the beginning of the event.

During the finale, children were given the daunting task of waiting patiently for thirty minutes before they could go off and enjoy the carnival. Initially, they couldn’t keep their eyes off the games that stood just out of their reach, but Pastor Zach did the impossible of grabbing their attention and entertaining them for thirty minutes. For the duration of the service, the carnival was simply a distant memory.

During the service, the children were more than an audience. They were active participants in a story. They excitedly sang songs, recited memory verses, and acted out stories.

Most notably, however, Pastor Zach gave a lesson in the form of a story. He called up Luke, Joey, and Eli to play the roles of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who remained loyal to their faith even when faced with certain death. He used the story of these men who refused to worship a false God to teach three lessons.

Pastor Zach told the children to always do right, even if nobody is looking: “Don’t be afraid to stand for God;” and “God loves you,” and “God has a plan for your life.”

With that, the service was almost over; the room was brimming with anticipation. All that remained was the bike giveaway. The bikes that were previously dwarfed by adults zooming around the room were now given to two lucky kids.

A very young boy who spent the majority of the event staring longingly at the carnival activities won the blue bike. Despite not being able to use it for a couple of years, he seemed excited about the prize.

Alternatively, nine-year-old Isabelle Jeanfaivre, who won the pink bike, immediately hopped on and took off on it.

The rest of the night was spent playing games, winning prizes, and enjoying a buffet of snacks and pizza all while the sounds of the circus filled the air.

Maia Labbe is a Newtown resident and journalist intern whose work is funded through a grant from the New England Newspaper & Press Association (NENPA).