'Kids remember those things': 'Quice' brings City Kids Day to Kellogg Arena June 24

Greyson Steele, Battle Creek Enquirer
·2 min read
City Kids Day returns to Kellogg Arena June 24.
City Kids Day returns to Kellogg Arena June 24.

BATTLE CREEK — If you want to find yourself, lose yourself in service of others.

It's a philosophy James Williams has come to live by in his 34 years.

Williams currently works as a victim advocate for the Maricopa County Prosecutors Office near Phoenix, is a personal trainer and owns a fitness apparel company. Even though he's moved away from his hometown of Battle Creek, he's never lost sight of the city that raised him.

Rooted in a desire to give back, Williams is hosting the fourth "City Kids Day," a free carnival at Kellogg Arena, from noon to 4 p.m. June 24.

The event features food, bounce houses, toys, giveaways, face painting, games and prizes, free haircuts, live music and an appearance by Kellogg's cereal mascot Tony the Tiger, among other special guests.

City Kids Day returns to Kellogg Arena June 24.
City Kids Day returns to Kellogg Arena June 24.

"These kids owe us nothing, we owe them," Williams, better known around Battle Creek as "Quice," explained Tuesday. "It’s our turn to pave the way and to design and to have something they can look forward to every year. Kids remember those things … That’s something worth preserving."

Williams was a multi-sport standout at Battle Creek Central High School and went on to star on the football field at nearby Olivet College, where he studied communications with a minor in criminal justice. After graduating, he played football professionally in Germany and Poland, once appearing on ESPN and other national sites for an incredible punt return in the Polish American Football League.

James ‘Quice’ Williams was electric while playing at Battle Creek Central and Olivet College.
James ‘Quice’ Williams was electric while playing at Battle Creek Central and Olivet College.

Williams launched the first City Kids Day in 2019 at the Battle Creek Central Fieldhouse, serving more than 300 kids in the community. After a brief pause due to the pandemic, the event returned in 2021, serving more than 1,200 kids and families at Kellogg Arena.

Last year, Battle Creek Mayor Mark Behnke signed a proclamation declaring June 25 "City Kids Day" in Battle Creek. The event will be held one day earlier this year on June 24.

Battle Creek native James 'Quice' Williams is hosting the fourth City Kids Day on June 24 at Kellogg Arena.
Battle Creek native James 'Quice' Williams is hosting the fourth City Kids Day on June 24 at Kellogg Arena.

Williams said he expects an even greater turnout this year.

"It’s definitely fun just to see smiles on kids’ faces and the families," Williams said. "I’m thrilled to keep doing it."

Williams credits a number of partnerships with community organizations and area nonprofits in helping make City Kids Day possible. Among them is Post Consumer Brands, which will give away more than 1,300 boxes of cereal during the event.

"It takes a village," Williams said. "It’s not just me, it’s a lot of people that’s behind me (that make this possible) ... It takes all of us."

For more information, visit kelloggarena.com.

This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: City Kids Day returns to Kellogg Arena June 24