Free Family Field Day Sunday at UMass Dartmouth

Sunday afternoon, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn will hold his annual Free Family Field Day on UMass Dartmouth's Cressy Field.

The afternoon filled with fun outdoor family activities and old-school field day events is a partnership between the DA's office, the UMass Dartmouth Athletic Department, and the Charlton College of Business.

The event kicks off at noon on Sunday and will go until 4 p.m., with activities, demonstrations and raffles taking place throughout the afternoon.

"(It's about) trying to bring families together, making them spend time together, having fun together, exercising together," said former Red Sox pitcher Brian Rose, who now works in the DA's office and helps organize the event. "We find that the families that do that tend to stay away from crime and drugs and stuff like that."

Rose says last year's event drew almost 500 people, and that event has something for everybody.

The afternoon will feature sporting events such as the hockey slapper, football pass, basketball shoot, baseball home run hit, soccer goal kick, a giant volleyball game and a speed throw with the New Bedford Bay Sox. There will also be old-school Field Day events such as potato sack races, three-legged races, hula hoop contests, dizzy bat races and tug of war. In addition, traditional backyard games like cornhole, ping pong and Kan Jam will also be part of the fun.

There will also be yoga demonstrations, a rock climbing wall, a petting zoo, a photo booth, food tents and other fun family activities.

"It's about promoting healthy activities," District Attorney Quinn said, noting that exercise isn't the only reason for the event. "In this society, we as a District Attorney's Office are dealing with unpleasant issues many times. But this is promoting families to come, take part in these activities, have fun and send that message out...we want to send out a positive message, that you can lead a productive life and be on the right track."

More information can be found on the Bristol County District Attorney's Office website, as well as on its Facebook page.

"I would just encourage people to come out, it's free, it's a great opportunity to have some healthy fun and interact with the DA's staff," Quinn said. "I think these things are a positive for the community, and we're happy to be involved. I think it's more of a necessity now than it has been in the past."