NORWICH — Children ran around Mohegan Park's center on Sunday, enjoying all the activities at the 16th annual Family Day.

Angelo Callis, coordinator for Norwich Youth and Family Services, said that over the 16 years, the event has grown, but the purpose, a free event for the community, has remained the same.

"I think people look forward to it," he said. "We know that parents are stressed out enough and nobody seems to be making enough money to meet any bills anymore, so let’s just pull together and do it."

The day itself started with a fun run for the children attending. They were sent off with song "Who Let The Dogs Out?"

Nick and Cathrine Wigfield were two of the kids who did the run, wearing their St. Joseph's cross country attire.

"I think I did good," Catherine said.

"I think I pushed myself too much," Nick said.

Jamain Pabon Jr., a parent and Norwich resident, likes the social aspect of Family Day.

"There’s plenty of people I’ve seen my whole life, and plenty of people that I haven’t," he said.

Throughout the day, there were plenty of activities for families to enjoy, including fishing, seeing exotic animals and a magician. Lunch, consisting of hot dogs, chips, and a drink, were given to people free of charge.

To make the event happen, many organizations came together for this event. Some are from the town, such as Norwich Public Utilities, Norwich Public Schools and the Rose City Senior Center. Other local groups included Reliance Health and the Cornerstone City Church. All of these groups and many more had tents set up, talking to people passing by.

Callis said that one of the goals of this event is to let people in Norwich know what resources are available to them.

Sandra Giatan-Brown, community liaison for Norwich Community Development Corp., attended the event to let people know about a program Norwich has to help people who live in homes with lead paint.

"We have been here, as I recall, every year," she said. "And we try our best to inform people of the programs that we have, so I think it’s pretty good."

Callis also said that the Family Day helps different parts of town communicate with each other. In Norwich, Callis said that different parts of town government have a more collaborative relationship than in other places, and often work together.

"[Family Day] keeps us all in touch with each other," he said.

Giatan-Brown agreed with him.

"We help each other to get the word out there," she said.

During the event, Callis was called up to the front. He was just expecting to explain the event. Instead, he received a basket full of tea and coffee as a retirement gift.

Callis does not plan on leaving town.

"This is where my family is, where my friends are," he said. "I really do love it here."