PBS Sprout to Feature Avalon Lifeguard Nov. 26

AVALON — The Borough of Avalon will be getting some nationwide television coverage on Fri., Nov. 26 on the PBS Sprout network. Avalon will be featured on the “Sunny Side Up” morning show program between 9 a.m.-noon.
PBS Sprout came to Avalon this summer to shoot a piece with the Avalon Beach Patrol called “Chica’s Day at the Beach;” the segment pro-motes beach safety and education. The video production was conducted on July 30, at Avalon’s 58th Street beach, and also at Avalon’s Bay Park Marina.
The video segment includes various actors from “Sprout” along with popular children’s character “Chica”, a small chicken. Chica and the “Sprout” characters spent the day interacting with members of the Avalon Beach Patrol to educate children on the various duties conducted by life-guards along with safety tips for a fun day at the beach.
Producers of the “Sprout” program chose veteran Avalon lifeguard Shane McGrath to interact with Chica and other cast members of the program. McGrath memorized various lines for his parts in the video shoot, and talked about how lifeguards make a day at the beach safe for children, and their parents.
Other members of the Avalon Beach Patrol also participated in the produc-tion. They will be shown running on the beach for exercise, swimming into the surf, and rowing an Avalon Beach Patrol boat through the waves, simulating a water rescue.
At the conclusion of the shoot, McGrath was also offered the prestigious “Good Egg” award from Chica, and cast member Dennisha.
The video shoot was conducted by Philadel-phia-based Center City Film & Video. In Avalon, “Sprout” can be seen on channel 128 on the Com-cast cable system, and on channel 295 on DirectTV.
For more information about PBS’s 24-hour pre-school channel “Sprout”, visit their website at www.sproutonline.com