Sweets from the sky! A helicopter marshmallow drop thrills kids in suburban Detroit
 

It’s spring in Detroit — warm weather, a few clouds, and a 100% chance of marshmallow downpours.

The source? A helicopter zooming above the green lawn of Worden Park on Friday, unloading sack-fulls of fluffy treats for hundreds of kids waiting eagerly below, some clutching colorful baskets or wearing rabbit ears.

The children cheered and pointed as the helicopter clattered by on its way to the drop zone. Volunteers in yellow vests made sure kids didn’t rush in and start grabbing marshmallows until after the deluge was complete.

For anyone worried about hygiene, don’t fret. The annual Great Marshmallow Drop isn’t about eating the marshmallows — kids could exchange them for a prize bag that included a water park pass and a kite.

The marshmallow drop has been held for over three decades in the Detroit suburb of Royal Oak, Michigan, hosted by Oakland County Parks.

One toddler, Georgia Mason, had no difficulty procuring a marshmallow at her first drop, her dad Matt said.

“Probably the most exciting part was seeing the helicopters. But once we saw the marshmallows drop, we got really excited,” Matt Mason said.

Source : https://apnews.com/article/helicopter-marshmallow-drop-detroit-park-kids-a5af7aa8dc140c848aaece856143d0cf

Comprehension

What season is described in the story?
Where did the marshmallow drop happen?
What was dropped from the helicopter?
What were some of the children holding or wearing?
What did the volunteers do during the event?
Why don’t the children eat the marshmallows?
What can children exchange the marshmallows for?
How many years has the marshmallow drop been held?

Discussion

Have you ever joined a fun event in your town or school?
Do you think this marshmallow drop is a fun idea? Why or why not?
What kind of prize would you like to receive at an event like this?
What other things could be dropped safely from a helicopter for fun?
Would children in your country enjoy this kind of event?
What do people usually do during spring in your country?
Why is cleanliness or hygiene important at public events?
If you could organize a fun event for kids, what would it be?
Do you think dropping things from helicopters is safe?
What special events or festivals happen every year in your hometown?

Vocabulary

Spring – the season after winter when the weather gets warmer
Downpour – a large amount of something falling quickly (like rain or marshmallows)
Helicopter – a flying machine with spinning blades on top
Clutch – to hold something tightly
Deluge – a sudden and large amount of something
Hygiene – keeping things clean to stay healthy
Prize – something given as a reward
Annual – happening once every year