'Family Fun Day' Not a Myth, Will Be Online

Thomas Nelson is turning to a mermaid and a unicorn to make its annual Family Fun Day memorable. Those mythical creatures are part of an event that, like the spring graduation ceremony, has been moved online.

The production, scheduled to be posted online April 25, includes a series of videos broken down into four age groups: 2-7, 8-12, 13-17, and 18 and older. Each video will be about 25-30 minutes.

Alicia Riley, the College's Special Events coordinator, asked employees for ideas. One said their child wanted to meet a mermaid.

"Fortunately, I do know a mermaid," Riley said.

Another child's request was "Can you read a letter written by a unicorn?"

"That will happen as well," Riley said.

The concept for this year's event was designed to help parents and care-givers tackle a challenge in today's world, where the coronavirus has many under stay-at-home orders: Simultaneously keeping children of various ages entertained and engaged.

In the segment targeting the youngest audience, a Thomas Nelson student is the narrator, explaining how Thomas Nelson is her community. She gives the audience a virtual tour of the College.

"Through the abilities of cinematography, she snaps her fingers and she's in the library," Riley explained. "She snaps her fingers and she's standing on the volleyball court. And then when she snaps her fingers for the third time, she is in someone else's community. And that's how the other videos will be introduced."

The segment for 8-12-year-olds is a compilation of short, fast clips. One of them is by Arthur Lopez, a renowned hand drummer from Norfolk. He explains his background, and then encourages the audience to learn hand drumming.

Another Thomas Nelson student displays the art of "tricking" in the video aimed at the 13-17 age group. Tricking is described as a modern martial art that combines gymnastics, cheerleading and break dancing to create an "aesthetic blend of kicks, flips, and twists."

For the oldest age group, there will be segments on gardening, meditation and cooking.

The videos will be available on Thomas Nelson's website and YouTube channel, and can be accessed by anyone.

"It will all air on one day," Riley said. "You can decide which show to watch, and you can watch them over and over."