The popular All Kids Fair, founded by East Hills resident Barbara Kaplan, will return to the Melville Marriott for the fifth straight year on Sunday, April 26, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The fair connects businesses and nonprofit organizations with children and their families. All Kids Fair won first place in the Event Category of the 2014 Long Island Web Awards. Fair founder Barbara Kaplan said,
“We felt very honored to receive this award,” said Kaplan. “The 2015 All Kids Fair will bring back many of last year’s favorite features and will add many new ones for the enjoyment of our visitors.”
The fair, according to Kaplan, is a combination of education and activities expo and health and wellness fair. It offers entertainment choices for toddlers through high school, including kids who have special needs or are gifted. Over 80 exhibitor spaces and many classes provide valuable information for kids and their parents and grandparents. Exhibitors will cover schools, camps, after school activities, birthday party ideas, college planning, and health and wellness products and services. Some of the classes children can share with their parents and grandparents are tap and ballet, crafts, engineering, book reading, music performance, and gaga. Free valet parking, introduced in 2014, will be offered again.
No-charge opportunities for kids and adults, Kaplan added, include:
• Meet Quacker Jack from the Long Island Ducks.
• Be entertained by a juggler from the Big Apple Circus.
• Meet Amy Marchany, Ms. Royal America 2011-2012.
• Get your face painted by Risa’s Smiley Time Kiddie Parties.
• Take the Latin Jelly Brain Challenge with Village East Gifted.
• Taste a yummy green smoothie from health coach Peter Catalano.
• Try a gluten free baked treat from Dragon’s Nest Baked Goods
• Get a foot health consultation from North Shore Podiatry, PC.
• See the Amelia Earhart Simulator from the American Airpower Museum.
• Get Child ID Kits from New York Life.
Kaplan also said that attendees who like to pay forward to charitable groups can bring non-perishable food and money for donation to The INN (Interfaith Nutrition Network). Those who do will receive raffle tickets to win a variety of donated prizes. Kaplan added that attendees can also join the national bone marrow registry and possibly save the life of someone with blood cancer. Penelope’s Odyssey will be offering simple cheek swabs.
