AETN's 50th means Family Day fun

For decades, it has presented TV shows that have taught everything from the alphabet to how to prepare boeuf bourguignon (beef burgundy). Now, AETN is celebrating its 50th birthday with a few of its favorite neighbors, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday in Conway.

"It's a major milestone for any business," says public relations manager Tiffany Head. "To be public media in Arkansas for that many years is amazing."

AETN Family Day has been an every-other-year celebration but the last one was in 2013. Organizers decided to skip 2015 so they could have a big blowout for the 50th anniversary.

The past few decades will be an important part of the party, themed "Peace, Love & AETN."

"We're playing off of the 1960s because we went on the air in 1966," Head explains. "We're giving it that retro feel of what it was like back in the day."

Guests can expect a disc jockey spinning 1960s tunes for the block party and retro giveaways.

People are also encouraged to get into the spirit of things by dressing up, either in '60s attire or as their favorite PBS characters. So it's a great time for people to embrace their inner Caillou, Jacques Cousteau, Julia Child or Bob Ross.

While there is no official costume contest planned, Head says, "We have tons of characters over the years that if someone wanted to come dressed [as], that would be awesome."

Head says the AETN Video Vault will screen programs from the last 50 years and provide sneak peeks of forthcoming programming: "It's a throwback meets what we're doing and what we're looking to do in the future."

This year there will be food trucks on-site and activities for all ages are planned, with bounce houses, fitness activities, arts and crafts, face painting, facility tours and production demonstrations included.

There will be some famous faces as well. Exploring Arkansas host Chuck Dovish will have a meet and greet, Lt. Gov. Tim Griffin will participate in the 10 a.m. story time and chef Steven Brooks, host of the forthcoming show Cook With Brooks, will do cooking demonstrations.

The most special (and fuzziest), though, may be "walk around" Cookie Monster and Elmo, who will meet and take photos with guests.

"We haven't had Sesame Street characters at AETN in over a decade so it's a big, exciting part of this year," Head says.

As always at Family Day, there will also be plenty of opportunities for guests to help others. Family Day serves as the kickoff for Mister Rogers' Neighborhood Sweater Drive, a statewide effort that distributes new and gently used sweaters. There will also be collections of first aid kits, cotton swabs and baby wipes for Community Action Program for Central Arkansas' Project Homeless Connect and a drive for children's books for CAPCA's Christmas food box/Christmas book program.

Head says, "If you have never been to AETN Family Day, you will not be disappointed. We have the most wonderful crowd of fun and enthusiastic attendees."

Weekend on 09/22/2016