Blue sky greets return of Hampton Community Day

As had been the case with countless events, Hampton Community Day was waylaid by covid for two years.

In planning to resume the extravaganza for 2022, organizers hoped that the coast would be clear as far as health considerations and, of course, the weather would cooperate.

Their wishes came true on both counts.

Under a blue sky, crowds gathered at Hampton Community Park to enjoy an afternoon of activities, from concerts and inflatable carnival-type attractions to assorted offerings at booths staffed by various organizations.

Visitors to the Hampton Middle School cheerleaders’ booth, for example, could get their faces painted while receiving hair tinsel and temporary tattoos, and then be on their way with a hot dog and bottle of water.

Although school may be out, the students are looking forward to when the bells start ringing again.

“We’re doing fundraising for our banquet this year,” Ava Santoyo, who is going into eighth grade, said. “It’s where we all get together with our coach and with all of our cheerleaders, and we have a party where we congratulate everyone for a good season.”

Teammate and fellow future eighth-grader McKenzie Joyce expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity to greet festival goers.

“It’s definitely a nice day,” she said. “There are a lot of people coming to support us.”

Those who chatted with the cheerleaders had the opportunity to learn more about what the sport entails these days, including a high degree of teamwork in gravity-defying routines.

“I like when all the girls come together and we really work hard,” Ava Manno, who also is about to enter eighth grade, said. “We all have to pull our own weight, and we all end up hitting the stunts.”

A few booths down the Community Day midway, Hampton High School cheerleaders had set up a Candyland theme, with the accompanying treats to satisfy everyone’s sweet tooth.

“We’re super-excited for this year,” soon-to-be-senior Gabriella Imbarlina said. “Hopefully, this year is really normal compared with the past two years, with covid, and we’ll be able to cheer at all of our games, and support our boys in football and basketball.”

In addition to rooting for the Talbots, the cheerleaders are anticipating taking part in competitions, with a particular eye toward traveling to Florida next spring for the international championship at Disney World.

“We want to go and see Mickey,” Gabriella said. “We want to, honestly, perform our best, and at the end of the day, it’s mainly about having fun and being a family. That’s what’s most important to me and the others on my squad.”

She also wants to present a clear picture about what they do.

“Everyone underestimates us and thinks we’re just the girls who dance around,” she said. “But we’re really a sisterhood that puts in a lot of athletic work, especially in competition. And we love our fans. Come support us Friday nights at Fridley Field.”