East Hills, NY– May 2nd, 2013 – Long Island’s third annual All Kids Fair took place on Sunday, April 28, 2013 at the Melville Marriott - Long Island to a crowd of almost 800. The All Kids Fair, a day celebrating childhood, was part activities and education expo and part health and wellness fair.
There were 24 fun and interesting classes at the All Kids Fair, including Travel with Kids, College Funding, Potty Training, Sports, Martial Arts, Music, and Archery.
85 exhibitors offered information about topics as diverse as nutrition, after school activities, camps, tutoring, fun places to play, dental care, and special needs topics. A clown from the Big Apple Circus juggled and entertained. Many products were sold as well, including kids’ furniture and books. One attendee wrote in the online survey that “I liked the fact that the fair engaged the children as well as myself.”
A food drive, organized by The INN (Interfaith Nutrition Network) raised $150 and over 100 pounds of food to feed Long Island's hungry. Those who donated received raffle tickets to win great prizes, including a birthday party at Pump It Up and Long Island Ducks tickets.
Penelope’s Odyssey offered simple cheek swabs for the lifesaving National Bone Marrow Registry, and 26 altruistic people were swabbed. Lori Schneider of Penelope’s Odyssey shared that she “enjoyed the day and all the people we met. I am amazed at how many wonderful businesses and organizations you had represented.” Many other non-profits participated, including the Mid Island Y-JCCs, YMCA of Long Island, the American Airpower Museum, Strong Island Kids and Family Service League – Project Hope, who assisted those affected by Hurricane Sandy.
Attendees enjoyed free food samples from Mulberry Street of Babylon Village, Blondees Bistro, Black Forest Brew Haus, Love and Quiches, and Lucky Lou’s Rice Pudding. Free face painting, balloon animals, cookie decorating, child ID kits, breastfeeding support, health screenings, and mini-massages for the adults were available from a variety of exhibitors. A new addition this year was a babysitting room, which was free with admission.
The fair, organized as a celebration of kids – all kids - was designed to bring together businesses, vendors, and non-profit organizations with children from birth through high school age, along with the people who love them. This was reflected by the All Kids Fair slogan, “From Mommy & Me to the SAT!”
This event was sponsored by Long Island Parent, Your Local Kids Source, Natural Awakenings LI, All About Kids, YOLO Yogurt, Hulafrog Town of Hempstead, and LongIsland.com
All Kids Fair Director Barbara Kaplan and her staff are busy planning their next events, the 4th Annual "Over 50 Fair" on September 29, 2013, geared towards adults age 50+, and the next All Kids Fair, which will take place in spring 2014. Details can be found at AllKidsFair.com and Over50Fair.com.
