Strip away the face painting, and the horse rides, and the carnival games, and the Ronald McDonald festival is about one thing: healing.
"We get to see the kids out having fun and being healthy, which is something we don't always get to see on the other side of that," says Morgan Capps with the Ronald McDonald House.
Children like Tyler Sears, born with half a heart, getting a chance to just be a kid.
"He's had 24 surgeries and six open hearts, so to come out to this event as a family and to enjoy him, to actually be seeing him walking around and playing with the other kids and interacting is just great," says Tyler's dad Todd.
"Getting out and playing with other kids is great for his development because even though he's six, he's mentally a two year old from all the surgeries and hospital stays he's had, so just being a normal kid is just fabulous for recovery, and growth and mental health," adds Tyler's mom Tammy.
And even his sister Tabby gets to have some fun too.
"She helps out with brother, with helping feed him and hold his hands and taking him on some of the rides here," says Todd.
And some of those who spent time at the house even come out...to help out.
"My grandson never walked, never talked, his brain never developed. Hospice arranged for us to be at Ronald McDonald house where he wouldn't die at home. We were there 14 days. The people there were awesome, to be in such a bad situation, was a good situation. It's a wonderful feeling. You see those kids are so happy and their parents are so thankful, you sometimes feel very very fortunate, very blessed," says Ronald McDonald House volunteer Frances Dickerson.
Organizers hope the fundraiser will bring in more than 60 thousand dollars.
