The date is set for Children & Youth Partnership’s 11th Annual KidsFest event!

This exciting festival for young children will be held Friday, May 11, 2018, at Roanoke Island Festival Park in Manteo from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Children, parents, grandparents and child care programs are invited to participate in a morning of music, games, crafts, ice cream, snowballs, and play activities, all for free!

Last year, despite challenging weather, more than 1,200 young children, parents, grandparents and other caregivers enjoyed a morning of fun on the grounds of Festival Park’s Outdoor Pavilion.

Attendees participated in more than 60 play opportunities that were available, including face painting, bubbles, the Teddy Bear Hospital, a webstacle course, a variety of arts and crafts, fire trucks, the U.S. Coast Guard boat, and Buster the School Bus.

KidsFest has become a much-anticipated event celebrating Dare County’s young children and promoting the importance of play in developing minds and imaginations. Readiness for school is more than basic knowledge of language and math and includes all facets of development: physical, cognitive, social, and emotional competencies.

Play and positive play environments allow opportunities for children to discover, create, imagine, explore, and experience materials that will foster language skills, writing, cooperation, and scientific and mathematical concepts. The Outer Banks is a beautiful place for young children to connect with nature and develop a love for the outdoors and all that it offers in our community.

Children & Youth Partnership is currently seeking exhibitors to be a part of KidsFest 2018 by presenting an activity that is child-friendly and age-appropriate for young children up to the age of five.

Don’t have an activity for kids but want to be involved? Ask us about how you can volunteer or help sponsor this well-loved event in our community. The Partnership welcomes the opportunity to publicize a company or organization as a sponsor for this fun, feel-good celebration!

If you are interested in being a part of KidsFest 2018, contact Children & Youth Partnership for Dare County at (252) 441-0614 (Rain date is May 18).