Capital Region to host summer kickoff

To celebrate the start of summer, Capital Region Medical Center is hosting a summer kickoff event.

The kickoff will be 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday at the Capital Region MU Health Care Amphitheater Pavilion in Jefferson City.

The family-friendly event is free to attend. A variety of activities are scheduled, including a bounce house and obstacle course. Ventriloquist Mechelle Matthews will be performing from 1-1:30 p.m. Capital Region booths will be set up for guests to learn more about the organization.

Rita Kempker, Capital Region Medical Foundation executive director, said she hopes everyone who attends the event has fun.

"We want to bring info out to the public and have a fun day for kiddos of all ages," Kempker said.

She said the event will encourage future reading to children, and Scholastic books will be handed out to children at the event.