Students looking for a spring break escape will have more than a weeks’ worth of opportunities to stay busy thanks to Spring Fling events planned today through March 23.

Spring Fling, which primarily is organized and sponsored by the Franklin County Children’s Coalition, includes a variety of activities and events during the spring break week at locations across Ottawa. Highlights of the week’s planned events include a free showing of “Peter Pan” Sunday at the Church of the Nazarene, West Seventh and South Elm streets; a parent/child “giant kickball” game Monday at Orlis Cox Sports Complex, Beech Street and West K-68; Firearm safety Tuesday at The Gun Guys, 412 S. Main St.; a petting zoo by Franklin County 4-Hers Wednesday at the Franklin County Fairgrounds’ beef barn, 17th and Elms streets; skating Thursday at The Rink, 222 E. Second St.; a magic show Friday at First Christian Church, 1045 S. Hickory St.; and McGruff Club Saturday, March 23 at Ottawa Municipal Auditorium, 301 S. Hickory St.

Students looking for a spring break escape will have more than a weeks’ worth of opportunities to stay busy thanks to Spring Fling events planned today through March 23.

Spring Fling, which primarily is organized and sponsored by the Franklin County Children’s Coalition, includes a variety of activities and events during the spring break week at locations across Ottawa. Highlights of the week’s planned events include a free showing of “Peter Pan” Sunday at the Church of the Nazarene, West Seventh and South Elm streets; a parent/child “giant kickball” game Monday at Orlis Cox Sports Complex, Beech Street and West K-68; Firearm safety Tuesday at The Gun Guys, 412 S. Main St.; a petting zoo by Franklin County 4-Hers Wednesday at the Franklin County Fairgrounds’ beef barn, 17th and Elms streets; skating Thursday at The Rink, 222 E. Second St.; a magic show Friday at First Christian Church, 1045 S. Hickory St.; and McGruff Club Saturday, March 23 at Ottawa Municipal Auditorium, 301 S. Hickory St.

Another popular event returning to Spring Fling is the Friday night Battle of the Bands at the OMA. This year’s competition is set to include local bands Orion Falls, Max Hopkins, Connect, Forget Rosaline and Overdue Anthem. The public show is set to begin at 7 p.m. Friday, with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. Admission is one canned good or non-perishable item per person.

For more specific event information, as well as details about other Spring Fling activities, go to http://www.fccc4kids.org/springfling.html

All children must be accompanied by a parent or other adult, except at Wednesday’s Ultimate Basketball evening at Ottawa Middle School, 1230 S. Ash St., and the Battle of the Bands.

Funding for Spring Fling is provided by American Eagle Outfitters/AE Foundation.

For questions about Spring Fling, call the Ottawa Library at (785) 242-3080 or the Ottawa Recreation Commission at (785) 242-1939.