Family Fun Day in Warwick: How Alysha Motroni Is Building a Meaningful Community Tradition
In a time where finding affordable, family-friendly activities can be a challenge, events like Family Fun Day in Warwick, Rhode Island stand out for all the right reasons.
Hosted by Alysha Motroni of Slocum Home Team & Insurance, this annual event continues to grow — not just in size, but in impact. Held at the ImPossible Dream Playground as part of the playground’s 36th season kickoff, this year’s event brought together hundreds of local families for a day filled with fun, connection, and purpose.
A High-Energy Day Built for Families
From the moment the event began, the atmosphere was exactly what it was designed to be.
As Alysha described it, the day was “happy, fun, and high energy,” with “lots of smiling kids running around playing, getting their faces painted, and having balloon animals made.”
The event featured a full lineup of activities, including face painting, balloon artists, bounce house fun, character visits, raffles, and full access to the playground — creating an experience that was engaging for kids and stress-free for parents.
The turnout reflected the event’s growing popularity. Alysha shared, “We had some repeat attendees, but a lot of new families as well… mostly families in the community.”
Growing Bigger Every Year
Now in its third year — and second with Slocum — Family Fun Day has steadily built momentum in the Warwick community.
“It gets bigger every year,” Alysha said.
This year, she made a strategic improvement by doubling the number of face painters and balloon artists — a direct response to long lines in previous years.
“We have had notoriously long lines in the past and I wanted the kids to have more time to play. It worked out much better.”
Despite keeping many of the same core activities, the event continues to feel fresh thanks to strong community engagement and grassroots promotion. As Alysha explained, “All of my marketing was grassroots through social media,” particularly through local groups and community pages.
The Moments That Make It Special
While the activities are a major draw, it’s the personal moments that truly define the event.
Fan favorites like face painting, balloon artists, and visits from characters like Blippi and Princess Anna created excitement throughout the day — but one moment stood out most to Alysha.
A returning family approached her to say thank you, and their children ran up, hugged her, and asked if she could come over to play.
It’s those genuine, unscripted moments that turn an event into something much more meaningful than just a day out.
Supporting a Mission That Matters
At the heart of Family Fun Day is a cause that goes far beyond entertainment — supporting the playground itself.
“The ImPossible Dream Playground was Rhode Island’s first integrated playground… they offer an environment that is play friendly for children of all physical abilities,” Alysha explained.
Unlike many public spaces, the playground is not state or city funded. It relies entirely on donations and private grants to continue operating.
After COVID-19 impacted its ability to generate income through rentals and events, community support has become even more critical.
For Alysha, the cause is deeply personal.
“My son had his 2nd and 4th birthday party there. It truly is such a special place. I would hate to see them reduce their operations due to lack of funds.”
A True Community Effort
While Alysha leads the event from start to finish — organizing sponsors, vendors, marketing, volunteers, and day-of operations — it truly takes a team to bring it all together.
“I put everything together from soup to nuts, and run it the day of.”
The Slocum team played a key supporting role, assisting with marketing materials and volunteering during the event — help that Alysha described as “critical to the success of the event.”
Sponsors were also essential in making the event possible. As Alysha explained, “Myself and the two sponsors split all of the costs associated with the event so that all of the money raised day of can go directly to the playground.”
This year’s event was supported by:
Alysha Motroni
Lisa Cooper of Lepizzera & Laprocina
Cara Millet of Shoreham Bank
Their contributions ensured that the event remained accessible for families while maximizing the impact for the playground.
Looking Ahead
As the event continues to grow, Alysha’s vision is clear — keep what works and continue building on it.
“Honestly, I love it the way it is now in terms of the activities and the level of fun.”
Looking ahead, she hopes to welcome even more families while possibly adding a vendor or two — without losing the heart of what makes the event special.
Why Events Like This Matter
For Alysha, this event is about more than just a great day — it’s about making a real impact in the community.
“I really enjoy making a difference in the community where I live… I have a soft spot for anything that benefits the kids.”
She also recognizes the reality many families face today:
“Finding low to no cost activities for your kids can be hard… and I like doing something where everyone is welcomed.”
It’s a place where kids can have fun regardless of financial circumstances — and where parents can create meaningful memories with their families.
A Message to the Community
Alysha’s message says it best:
“Thank you for coming year after year and we hope to see you again next year!”
And based on the growth, the turnout, and the impact — there’s no doubt this event will continue to be a staple in the Warwick community for years to come.
