The Second Annual Kids Expo is scheduled for the weekend on March 22-23.
Joelle Bohn, with Joey Children's Apparel which presents the Expo said the event was started because she saw a growing local need for such a showcase.
"The reason I established the Kids Expo was to bring a event that most larger cities have to our city," she said. "I think that having things for families is a huge thing to have in our community as we have many young families moving back to our city and I felt it was time to start focusing on their needs also. I also wanted to bring my store out of its four walls and be more community involved."
And Bohn's vision proved correct.
"The results were very good last year, I was honestly blown away by all the support," she said. "At one point I looked around and saw people standing shoulder to shoulder, and I was in awe."
As a result the event does have a change in venue for 2014, with the event scheduled for the Nexera Flexihall at the Gallagher Centre in Yorkton.
"So this year we are excited to move it to the Flexi Hall in the Gallagher Centre, the larger facility allows us to do more thing for kids and parents," said Bohn. "We were also able to raise $9250 to the Wheelchair Accessible Playground, and we are hoping to match that target this year even though our expenses have gone up dramatically."
This year's show will feature more than 50 booths with items and material related both to children and their parents.
"This year we have a great line up of activities," said Bohn. We have two bouncy houses, face painting, balloon creations, a carnival tent, fishing pound, pictures with Mickey Mouse and the Minions from Despicable Me, Robert Munsch Puppet Show, Reptile Show, story time, and The Cooperators baby crawl. Plus we have many other activities and booths for both parents and kids to experience. Plus the first 100 kids through the door gets a free grab bag! Families can plan to make a whole day of it, and they won't get bored."
Bohn said the event, targeted at children newborn to the age of 10, is possible through its sponsors.
"We want to make people aware that our sponsors are key to throwing a huge event like this," she said. "The Fox, GX94, The Co-Operators, Yorkton This Week, Gardon Securities, Grain Millers, Simple Shots by Jackie, The Rock, The Gallagher Centre, Pretty Face Makeup and Source Embroidery. These were all our major sponsors of the event and allow us to raise more money for the Wheelchair Accessible Playground again this year."
For additional event information check out http://bit.ly/kidsexpo14, or contact organizers at 306-782-1332 or [email protected]
