SUPERHERO WALK — The second-annual McKinley Marvels Superhero Fun Walk at McKinley STEM Academy will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday to raise money for the McKinley Marvels STEM Club. Area crafters and vendors will be on site, along with many local food trucks and inflatables. Taking part in last year’s event were students Knox Freshwater and Jameson Poludniak. -- Contributed

STEUBENVILLE — The McKinley Marvels STEM Club is calling all caped crusaders in preparation for its second-annual Superhero Fun Walk, scheduled from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the school, located at 1400 W. Adams St.

The free walk for students and community residents will give the first 100 children a free T-shirt, thanks to Total Sports Connection.

Club adviser and organizer Mackenzie Filtz said everyone can enjoy food, inflatables and vendors during this fundraiser for McKinley STEM Academy’s student organization. Children are permitted to wear a superhero costume in recognition of the theme. Walkers will go roughly one mile along Union Avenue to Eve Drive, then loop back through Plum Street and Cedar Avenue prior to returning to the school. Participants can walk, run or jog.

Neighborhood residents will be notified by flier of the event, and can cheer on participants, organizers noted.

First Baptist Church will offer water, treats and fun facts. Interactive Marvel stops will be along the route. The following food trucks are expected to attend: The Cheesy Pack, All-American Burger Co., Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee, Jimmi Jukes Wood Fired Pizza, Rusty Bull Taco Co., Kona Ice of Pittsburgh, Truckin’ Triangles, Taters Food Truck and Taste of Abruzzo. Inflatables by Screwy Louie’s Party Rentals will be set up, along with various crafters and vendors.

Screwy Louie’s will charge $10 for inflatables and $5 for a foam party, of which the sales will go back to the school. The Marvels Club meets monthly, with its first after-school session in October.

Members will participate in fun-themed STEM challenges, Filtz said. Students are seeking sponsors to help defray the cost of an upcoming trip to Universal Studios Orlando in April.

Approximately 75 people, including students, parents and guardians, are expected to travel to Florida, where they will learn about STEM, coding and engineering.

Sponsorships include $25 for the Sidekick level, $50 for the Defender level, $75 for the Guardian level, $100 for the Champion level and $250 for the Superhero level.

“It’s sort of a duel event,” Filtz explained. “Proceeds from food trucks and vendors will go to the general fund to cover supplies for our monthly meetings. Sponsorships go to the Universal account. Last year, we went to Universal and did a STEM series. This is part two. There will be a mummy dig site that is all STEM-based, the students will learn about weather exploration and take a virtual-reality tour to see how coding and engineering is used to make the rides at Epic Universe. They are going to the Kennedy Space Center to meet an astronaut and see how STEM is used in their day-to-day career.”

Filtz is optimistic of the run’s turnout, saying, “Last year, we had 124 people registered for the walk, but with the food trucks and inflatables, we had about 200 to 300 throughout the day. We’ll have a gift basket drawing, 50-50 drawing and prizes for best costume and best family spirit. We’re expanding on the vendors and will have a photo booth, Glow Zone, a Weirton AT&T booth, canning, crafts and T-shirts.”

More crafters and vendors are being sought at the cost of $25 per table.

For information, contact Filtz at (740) 310-3566 or by e-mail mfiltz@rollred.org.