The 16th annual WKU-PBS pool party is from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday at Russell Sims Aquatic Center.

“It doesn’t seem like another year has passed and we’re doing this again,” WKU-PBS Program Operations Manager Dana Divine said. “It is an end-of-summer event. We work with various organizations in the community.”

Gates open at noon at the center at 2303 Tomblinson Way. Prizes will start at 12:30 p.m. and will be given every 15 minutes until 5 p.m. Curious George will appear at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. South Central Kentucky Kids on the Block will perform at 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Goodie bags with items such as sunglasses, bookmarks and stickers will be given to the first 300 children.

“It’s a really nice little party favor for them,” Divine said.

Admission is $8 for ages 16 and up, $5 for seniors ages 55 and up and for youths ages 6-15, $4 ages 3-5 and $2 for ages 2 and under. Coupons for $1 off are available by calling the station at 270-745-2400 or at wkupbs.org.

Last year, Divine estimates the pool party drew 1,200 people.

“I expect to have that many again. We’re keeping our fingers crossed,” she said. “As hot as it’s been, I’m hoping that will create interest of coming to the pool that day.”

When organizers developed the idea for the pool party, they were looking for a fun outreach event, Divine said.

“We work with a goal of enhancing children’s lives and offering something that honors them and the value they hold,” she said. “We offer a lot of programming on the station. (The sponsors) work with children every day.”

Divine wants people to understand that it’s really important for them to spend meaningful time together.

“The expectation is to come and enjoy each other’s company. I hope we’re providing a place to go and spend time together. It is a pool party and we want people to come and enjoy themselves,” she said. “Based on the success we’ve been having, that has been happening. It’s one last party before the kids go back to school. It’s just to have fun.

“That’s why we time it that way every year – the first Sunday in August,” she said. “The timing is perfect. They can relax and enjoy themselves.”

David Brinkley, director of public broadcasting, said the pool party is a way to connect to families.

“This is one children get a lot out of. It’s a great way for us to stay connected to community we live in. Our mission is tied to community service,” he said. “It’s about any way we can bring families and children together and show a sense of celebration. They love to meet characters and have a good time. We want to facilitate that.”

WKU-PBS has connected with the community in a variety of ways, including having Jackie Robinson Day at Bowling Green Ballpark where they handed out books about the legendary baseball player, the young writers and illustration contest in connection with the Southern Kentucky Book Fest and book distribution at the Housing Authority of Bowling Green, Brinkley said.

“We see this as being good media stewards. Any time you have public television you want to show the community you care,” he said. “We want to make sure the underserved population has a chance to succeed.”

The station would like to have more opportunities with others, Brinkley said.

“Anytime we have opportunities with the community or PBS partners to serve the community we’d love to hear from them,” he said. “These initiatives come from ideas. (The pool party) became a yearly event that people care about and we want to see it grow.”

Organizers have “had a lot of fun during the 16 years,” Divine said.

“We’ve met a lot of people in the community,” she said. “I feel honored to serve them in this way.”

— Follow features reporter Alyssa Harvey on Twitter @bgdnfeatures or visit bgdailynews.com.