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Three-year-old Arabella of Willowick got an airbrush tattoo on March 25 at an exhibit sponsored by the KidShow at the Great Lakes Mall. (William Tilton – News-Herald)
On March 25, the Great Lakes Mall was transformed into an indoor playground for children of all ages.
With smiles on the faces of thousands of families from Northeast Ohio and beyond, the 24th annual KidShow was once again a huge success, not only for young people, but for their parents as well.
Known as Northeast Ohio’s best and longest running free kids event, KidShow revolves around all things kids and families.
According to Pat Perry, Event Producer for ProMark Enterprises, the aim is to equip busy parents with useful information and an opportunity to spend time and have fun with their kids for free in the free, open grounds and ample parking.
More than 80 exhibitors attended the event, offering activities, snacks, music, entertainment and anything else a kid might ask for, Perry said.
“We’re excited to have a ton of new companies participating in KidShow this year,” Perry said. “Since the event is only for one day, it’s easier for companies to staff and participate.”
While the events are aimed at people ages 12 and under, Perry said exhibitors target and market to parents and grandparents, offering information about schools and daycare, sports and recreation, health and fitness, family and finance, music and activities, camps and more. Information on services, holidays and everything in between.
Along with sharing information, many exhibitors also had interactive activities with participating families.
Annette and James, a couple from Willowick, attended KidShow with their 3-year-old daughter, Arabella, who was immediately drawn to the airbrush tattoo station sponsored by the Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital.
“It’s a great community event,” said Annette, who learned about KidShow from her niece. “We were going to the stage to see a show, but she really liked the tattoo.”
The stage is a popular stop for live performances, including Rockola Twirlers and Meet the Mascots earlier in the day.
Other activities include waist twisting, car racing, face painting and coloring, and an expanded backyard play area. Returning is the Kids’ Counter offering rotating crafts and activities, a green screen and Meet the Author Corner, where local children’s authors will take turns sharing their stories, activities and books throughout the day.
JR Grieco wows kids and their parents with all kinds of coin tricks at Jim Hathy’s Magic Exhibit.
Brit and Brad traveled from Albion, Pennsylvania, and decided to stop at the mall with their 5-year-old daughter, Presley, unaware that KidShow was going on.
“We just wanted to get out of the house and didn’t know anything, so it was a bonus,” Britt said.
Warmer weather will likely boost turnout, Perry said, but the key is to provide local families with plenty of options for entertainment and information without paying an admission fee.
“With KidShow, we intend to create opportunities for parents to spend time with their children at free, fun-filled events,” Perry said. “The outcome we seek is that children are inspired by others through fun and interactive engagement, while parents gain a wealth of new knowledge and resources to make good family choices.”
Coordinating KidShow is a daunting task, but Perry told ProMark staff that the annual event is a true labor of love.
KidShow is produced by ProMark Enterprises, Inc. and sponsored by Cleveland Clinic Children’s, Cleveland Magazine, Ladies and Gentlemen Salon and Day Spa, Lake News, Macaroni Kid Cleveland East, Mix 102.5, Mentor Nissan, Mimi Magazine, Northeast Ohio Parent, Ohio Mobile Games , Life Sound Hearing Center, Lake County Women’s Journal, Herald News, Willoughby-Eastlake Public Library and What’s Original?
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