SPANISH FORT, Ala. — With summer vacation in full swing, the Eastern Shore Centre will be giving parents a little peace of mind and kids their first taste of freedom Friday during the annual Safe Kids Day.

“I have always thought this to be a very important event as the kids get finger-printed and learn safety information,” said Kristen Kammer-Hattox, the center’s marketing director.

“It’s also a good idea to start the summer—when people are out and about with their different activities—with the parents having all of this updated knowledge,” she said.

Kammer-Hattox said attendees should bring a chair or blanket to enjoy the show and said Premiere Cinema will be donating popcorn.

Gretchen Pappas of Spanish Fort, who has three children all under the age of 7, praised the shopping center for hosting a “truly community-centric” event that stresses caution and preparedness against a backdrop of summer fun.

“All of mine were fingerprinted last year, so that’s marked off the list, but it’s really nice to see somebody putting all of these resources together in one place. It’s tough to try and wrangle three little ones to get all of this information on your own,” Pappas said.

In addition to fingerprinting services, Kammer-Hattox said more than one dozen businesses and local organizations will be offering services and demonstrations for all in attendance.

Confirmed participants include the following: