The Family Festival began in 1996 to emphasize the importance of family in today’s hectic world and to celebrate our families. At the time, there were many individual agencies hosting special events in the spring aimed at children and families. The thought was to come together, put all the events under one "umbrella" in order to help everyone in their efforts to celebrate the family.

The first year, the Family Festival had no funding and only a handful of activities. It has grown each year and we currently have a month long celebration funded in part from United Way of Fairfield County and the Wendel Family Fund of the Fairfield County Foundation. Some of this funding supports the publication of a Calendar of Events which goes home with every elementary student in the county and the sponsoring of a major event for families that varies by year. To get a calendar of events you can pick one up at River Valley Mall, Jobs & Family Services, Fairfield County District Library, or access it in the Calendar of Events section.

Throughout the month, the Steering Committee tries to offer families educational opportunities, services that support parents and children, and family-centered fun activities.  The Committee is comprised of many local agencies that collaborate on providing family strengthening activities during the month of April. Each agency tries to provide some type of activity or information  for families during this time.   As a group, we work together to form a calendar listing all the groups activities in addition to other businesses and organization that support the Committee's efforts.