KidShow provides free entertainment for families at Great Lakes Mall
Mar. 25—The Great Lakes Mall was transformed into an indoor paradise for children of all ages on March 25.
And from the smiles on the faces of thousands of families from all over Northeast Ohio and beyond, the 24th annual KidShow was once again a smashing success not only for the young ones, but for their parents as well.
Branded as Northeast Ohio's best and longest running free kids' event, the KidShow is built around anything and everything having to do with kids and family.
Event producer Pat Perry from ProMark Enterprises said the purpose is to get good information into busy parents' hands and to provide an opportunity to spend time and have fun with their children at a free, open venue with plenty of parking at no additional cost.
Perry said more than 80 exhibitors participated in the event providing activities, snacks, music, entertainment and just about anything else a child could ask for.
"We are very excited to have a huge number of new companies participating in the KidShow this year," Perry said. "With the event being one day only, it is much easier for companies to staff and participate."
While the activities were geared to those 12 and under, Perry said the exhibitors targeted and marketed parents and grandparents to provide information on services such as schools and daycares, sports and entertainment, health and fitness, home and financial, music and activities, camps, vacations and everything in between.
Along with sharing information, many of the exhibitors shared interactive activities with attending families.
A couple from Willowick — Annette and James — brought their 3-year old daughter, Arabella, to the KidShow and she was immediately drawn to the airbrush tattoo station sponsored by Cleveland Clinic Children's.
"This is a great community event," said Annette, who found out about KidShow from her niece. "We are headed to the stage to see the show, but she is really loving the tattoo."
The stage was a popular stop for live shows including the Rockola Twirlers and Meet the Mascots early in the day.
Other activities included twisting, car racing, face painting and coloring and an expanded Backyard Play Area. Returning are the Kids Counter with rotating crafts and activities, Green Screen and Meet the Author Corner where local children's authors will rotate throughout the day sharing their stories, activities and books.
At Jim Hathy's Magic exhibit, J.R. Grieco was wowing both children and their parents with a variety of coin tricks.
Brit and Brad were traveling from Albion, PA, and decided to stop at the mall with 5-year old daughter Presley not realizing the KidShow was going on.
"We just wanted to get out of the house and had no idea, so this was a bonus," Brit said.
Perry said the warm weather would more than likely help the turnout, but the key was to provide plenty of entertainment and informational options for local families without an admission price.
"The opportunity we set out to create with the KidShow is one for parents to spend time with their kids at a free event filled with hours of activities and fun," Perry said. "The outcome we seek is children inspired by others through entertainment and interactive participation and parents gaining a wealth of new knowledge and resources to make good family choices."
The coordination of the KidShow is a large undertaking, but Perry stated for the staff at ProMark, this yearly event is a true labor of love.
The 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 Gaming, Sounds of Life Hearing Center, The Lake County Women's Journal, The News-Herald, Willoughby-Eastlake Public Library and What the Raw?
