Kids Fest: A day of fun, family
Brynn George-Carter, 3, of Washington, lets it go as she sings along with Anna, Elsa and Olaf Saturday at Kids Fest.
Kids Fest: A day of fun, family
Mark Marietta/Observer-Reporter
Mark Marietta/Observer-Reporter
Preston Rohrer of Waynesburg and Payton Meglich of Akron, Ohio, follow the rhythm during a drumming session at last year’s Kids Fest.
Jaimie Kemmerer of Wild World of Animals demonstrates the wingspan of a European eagle owl at the Observer-Reporter-sponsored Kids Fest at Washington Crown Center Saturday.
Jaimie Kemmerer of Wild World of Animals shares a tortoise with the crowd at the Observer-Reporter-sponsored Kids Fest at Washington Crown Center Saturday.
Mark Marietta/Observer-Reporter
Jaimie Kemmerer of Wild World of Animals stays safely behind a snapping turtle as she introduces it to the crowd at last year’s Kids Fest at Washington Crown Center.
Aaliyah Santana, 4, and Amya Lazzari, 6, both of Washington, meet with Elsa at the Observer-Reporter-sponsored Kids Fest at Washington Crown Center Saturday.
Crowds of families and friends eager to participate in the second annual Kids Fest packed Washington Crown Center in North Franklin Township Saturday for a fun-filled day of engaging activities and entertaining performances.
“It was absolutely fantastic,” said Carole DeAngelo, marketing director for the Observer-Reporter which put on the event with Peoples Gas. “We had a steady stream of crowd from the time the doors opened at 10 a.m. There were thousands of people.”
The free event, which ran until 4 p.m., featured crafts, face-painting, balloon animals, sing-a-longs, sports fitness areas and inflatable fun zones. Attendees also had the chance to watch a variety of entertainment shows including Doc Dixon Magic Show, a performance by Elsa, Anna and Olaf, Kid’s Style Show, Moschetta’s Performance Arts Center and Wild World of Animals.
“People commented on the great amount of vendors, activities and entertainment,” DeAngelo said. “It was bigger than last year with more vendors and definitely more people. And it wasn’t just people from Washington County but the South Hills and West Virginia which is great!”
DeAngelo said the event was started by the newspaper to fill a void left when another similar program at the mall stopped several years ago.
“There was no event for the children, especially in the winter months,” DeAngelo said. “We talked with our customers and agreed that we needed to do something for the children and promote the services and children businesses.”
“Our goal as a company is to identify areas where we can give back to the community,” she added. “I am over the moon proud what we did as a company. It was a special day for the community.”
In addition, the festival offered a Health Zone which provided screenings, healthy food tips and an obstacle course. The Health Zone was sponsored by Washington Health Systems and Wilfred R. Cameron Wellness Center.