28th Annual Grand Kids Festival
APPROXIMATELY 8,000 FESTIVAL ATTENDEES ENJOY THIS CELEBRATION EACH YEAR
Presented by The Grand 1894 Opera House and recognized as the “largest free, art-focused children's event held on the Gulf Coast," the 28th annual Grand Kids Festival will be held on Saturday, April 20 from 10am to 5pm.
This family event will unfold on Postoffice Street, creating an intergalactic celebration between 20th and 23rd streets, with this year’s theme launching visitors into the vast expanse of "Outer Space." Admission is free, inviting families to embark on an otherworldly adventure.
Crafted as a cosmic venue to engage children and families in the arts, the Festival promises an array of activities that will captivate the young and the young-at-heart.
Across four outdoor stages attendees can experience live performances and entertainment from musician Joe McDermott, Laura Freeman of Hey Lolly Music, Rupert Morris (aka Rootbeer Morris of the Morris Brothers from the superhero tour), and a performance by the Simmbros.
Returning this year is "Chalk It Up!" - a chalk art competition, along with Tipi tellers, TCA storytellers including Margaret Clauder aka Astronomy Annie, Sue Kuentz, and Toni Simmons, aerialist Kate Kislingbury with Volo Aerial Arts, the Home Depot Craft station and the amazing stilt walker Adam Skidmore.
At 3:30pm, the Festival will host a space themed costume contest inviting individuals, families, and groups to showcase their celestial creativity with prizes awarded in each category.
Unique and exciting activities throughout the three-block festival area will include an opportunity to meet a real astronaut, ride a trackless train, interact with animals at a petting zoo, experience galaxy slime, and engage in out-of-this-world hands-on activities, alongside captivating storytellers and much more.
An extraordinary highlight of the 28th Grand Kids Festival will be the Missoula Children’s Theatre (MCT) production of Rapunzel. Featuring 50-60 local area students who auditioned for their roles, these two captivating performances will grace the stage at The Grand 1894 Opera House, 2020 Postoffice Street, with shows scheduled at 11am and 1pm.
Additional information about The Grand Kids Festival can be found online at www.GrandKidsFestival.com. This cosmic event invites families to join in the fun where admission is truly out of this world - it’s free.
For those interested in becoming a sponsor for this celestial spectacle, contact Festival Director Sarah Piel at 409.770.5066 or via email at spiel@thegrand.com.