Here at Kidsfest, we believe that children deserve to be exposed to high quality, because it sets their standards for life.  It is our mission to provide high quality art experiences and performances to children of all ages and abilities.  We strive to hold a spirit-filled arts festival that celebrates life, beauty, joy and community, and that is respectful of all people and of the earth.  How do we do that?  We provide an imaginative array of free hands-on art projects, and an ongoing assortment of eclectic performances.  To wrap it up, a grand parade is held at 4PM on Sunday.  We organize it, and you, dear people, bring it to life.
     Buffalo’s October storm claimed so many of our cherished trees, that our theme for the 2007 Kidsfest seemed to decide itself:  trees.  We wanted to acknowledge them, build awareness of the beauty, variety, and usefulness of trees, and always, to encourage conservation, recycling and reusing.
     To put old newspapers to good use, we will be making origami paper hats.  To get a feel for nature’s variety, we will be doing leaf rubbings.  To see wood put to artistic use, children can see hand-carved wooden sculptures, and put their hands to work by oiling them.  To glean some use from fallen trees, we will make them into building logs, And to practice respect for the earth, what better thing is there to do, than plant a tree?  And what better way is there to celebrate community, than to join together in a parade?
     Many thanks are due to many people and organizations. In the spirit of community, the Lexington Cooperative Market provides our space.  The Aurora Waldorf School is staffing the Tot Tent, and using Waldorf-inspired building logs.  Julie Szarowski-Cox and Kris Crosson of Creative Change Art Therapy designed and are staffing the Not Just for Kids Tent, and welcome older folks to join the fun.  Cousin Kelly is providing his own hand-carved wooden sculptures.  Urban Roots is generously providing us with a tree to plant.  The TreeHouse is our benefactor for helium and balloons, which no festival would be complete without.  We are privileged to again have Buffalo’s one-and-only Michael Meldrum as our Master of Ceremonies for the Kidsfest Performance Tent.  Franklin LaVoie created our friendly Green Tree to lead our Parade of Trees, while Kyla Kegler crafted the giant birds to so happily fly amongst them.  The 12/8 Path Band will sound the music in their lively colorful style, and the Gaia Tribe of Ilya’s Bellydance Studio will lend a hand in getting all the trees to shake and shimmy their way along
     As you enter Kidsfest, you will see our Donation Station.  Donations are gladly accepted, and all proceeds go towards funding equipment, supplies and performances.  Be sure to pick a carnation to add to our Tree Float.
     Kidsfest is produced and sponsored by the Elmwood Avenue Festival of the Arts, and made possible with donations from: