Safe Kids Super Saturday organizers promise this year's edition will contain many of the same elements that have made the event a success in years past. But there is one big change -- the time of year.

Sponsored by the Regional Medical Center's Safe Kids of Orangeburg, Bamberg and Calhoun counties, the 14th annual accident prevention and health promotion event for parents and children of all ages will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 16, at the Orangeburg County Fairgrounds. Admission is free, and children must be accompanied by an adult.

Kathy Funderburk, Safe Kids of Orangeburg, Bamberg and Calhoun counties executive director, says several factors necessitated moving the event from its accustomed September slot to springtime.

"The public has become used to it (in September)," she said. "Last year, Hurricane Hanna blew it away. Many of the exhibitors that play a major part in Safe Kids Super Saturday, such as the Highway Patrol, Red Cross, Emergency Medical Services, STAR Team and others, all had to be on call for that. Plus, we couldn't have all those kids out there milling around.

"The county fair folks also said we were a little in their way at a time they were making their preparations, plus the September date sometimes conflicted with law enforcement that does traffic control for S.C. State football games. Our board talked about all this and came up with the May date for this year. We don't know how it will change the event, if at all. We are still expecting good crowds."

Funderburk says the 2009 Safe Kids Super Saturday will again feature a drive-through child safety seat check, child identification protection, bike rodeo, free health screenings and a variety of other safety demonstrations, including an emphasis on teens buckling up and not drinking and driving. Bike helmets will also be distributed to the first 300 youngsters.

"Accidental injury is still the number one killer of children from birth through 14 years of age," Funderburk said. "South Carolina also has the third deadliest roads in the U.S. We really work closely with low-income people, who statistics show are at the greatest risk for injury. That's why this event is free. The only cost will be $1 for a hot dog, chips and a Coke. Nothing else is for sale, and no one can accept donations for anything."

Safe Kids is also supported by the RMC Foundation. Hospital staff will be on hand to help mark the close of National Hospital Week.

Along with animals from the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, there will be face painting and jump castles. Funderburk also promises the return of a special activity that has become a kid favorite in recent years.

"There will be cardboard boxes for the kids to slide down the hill," Funderburk said. "That has become another important ingredient to the success of Safe Kids Super Saturday."

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