Written by Kirsten Fargotstein
Everything Kids Fest (EKF) is a
two-day family festival featuring live entertainment, special character appearances, exhibitors showcasing the latest products and services for families, and hands-on activities including face painting, domestic and exotic petting zoos, arts & crafts, interactive inflatables and more! The event recognizes local Valley companies and organizations geared towards the development of children and families. The second annual festival returns November 17 and 18 at Reach 11 Sports Complex located at 2425 E. Deer Valley Rd. in Phoenix, Arizona.
This year’s event welcomes some of the most recognizable princesses, fairies and characters from classic children’s books. Cinderella and the Fairy Godmother, the Little Mermaid, Tinkerbell, Peter Pan and more, will all be in attendance participating in various activities with young fans, performing stage acts and unique classic songs.
Other activities on the main stage will include a show hosted by the Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium with live birds, mammals and reptiles from around the world. Their Animal Ambassador will talk about their survival, natural history, geography, natural behaviors and conservation education.
Inside the play zone, the Arizona Rattlers will host a mini-football clinic where your children can interact with their favorite players while working on physical skills & drills.
A special new addition to the festival will be the Storybook Village, a giant reading area where characters come to life. The Lorax, Cat in the Hat, Wild Thing from Where the Wild Things Are, the Very Hungry Caterpillar and Mouse from If You Give a Mouse a Cookie will be in attendance, visiting with the children as their stories are told. Other books will be available for kids to look through as they lounge in the shade.
“When Everything Kids Fest was in the making, there were four major ingredients that I considered essential to the recipe of creating a great family festival: to entertain, have fun, be charitable and support the community,” said event director and creator Tracy Reuter. “These goals and more were achieved in our inaugural year and I couldn’t be happier. I look to 2012 with enthusiasm and using the same formula with a few added twists, it will surely be a weekend of smiles.”
Last year’s event won a 2012 Zonies Award for the Best Festival, Fair or Event Series and saw a total attendance of over 7,000 people. Shamrock Farms, Truly Nolen, Doctors Express Urgent Care, Phoenix Skin Dermatology, Arizona Bounce Around, Fancy Faces and Gamez on Wheelz will be sponsoring the event this year.
The festival is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days and tickets are on sale now at www.everythingkidsfest.com. General admission tickets are $14 for adults, $12 for children and children under two years of age will receive free admission. Attendees will be able to enjoy an array of activities and more at no further costs. VIP tickets can be purchased for $50 and include early admittance to the festival from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. as well as a youth size Everything Kids Fest t-shirt.
For more information about Everything Kids Fest please visit www.everythingkidsfest.com.
