KidsFest
For 18 years, the Harney Point Kiwanis of Cape Coral Annual KidsFest has been a highlight for thousands of kids the weekend before Halloween at Jaycee Park.
It’s a tradition which continues this weekend, just with one little change.
Due to its enormous success over the last several years of drawing between 7,000-9,000 attendees, the 19th annual KidsFest will be held at the much larger venue of Sun Splash (400 Santa Barbara Blvd.) for the first time Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“We just outgrew our old location,” said Kiwanian and KidsFest organizer Susan Pruzan. “We moved to Sun Splash because it was required from the popularity of the event.”
The main reason KidsFest is such a draw is because of one word – “free.”
There is no admission charge to enjoy the bevy of vendors, games, food and entertainment which is held throughout the day.
“There is just a parking donation of $2, which is not mandatory,” Pruzan said. “We also will be accepting non-perishable food items for the Cape Caring Center which, in past, there has been a substantial amount of food brought in. Cape Caring Center will also have a booth available.”
There is much families can expect to enjoy at Sun Splash, including two Halloween Costume Contests, one held in the morning and the other in the afternoon. There will be a Big Kahuna Slide, ponies to ride, a rock wall to conquer, bunnies to pet, trampolines to jump on and all the vendors will have their own games and prizes to give away.
“Everything is geared towards the children,” Pruzan said. “Harney Point of Cape Coral Kiwanis will also be selling hot dogs and soda for a $1 each and there will be a food truck there, as well as Dylan’s Kettle Korn. There also is a rest tent set up with entertainment on stage all day.”
There will be educational opportunities for families and kids, as well, with the many different Lee County Resources on hand to let the public know what each of their departments are about.
The Lee County Sheriff’s Department will also have its CELL Dogs program on display. The CELL Dogs program are sheltered dogs which are trained by Lee County inmates. The dogs will be on hand and up for adoption after graduating through the program.
“One of the key (organizations) which volunteer and help run KidsFest is the Kiwanis Key Club, which is run out of the high schools,” Pruzan said. “They are amazing what they do at KidsFest and they love doing it. There are also other adult volunteers who put in their time and they do a great job.”
KidsFest has been a popular event to kickoff the looming busy season and one which publicizes the good deeds the Harney Point of Cape Coral Kiwanis Club does for the community.
But most of all, KidsFest is about the children and their families to enjoy and be together without the worry of cost.
“Anybody can come for free and enjoy the day,” Pruzan said.
For more information about the Harney Point of Cape Coral KidsFest event, email kidsfestcc@gmail.com or visit the event’s Facebook page, or visit their website at www.HarneyPointKiwanis.com.