Kids and Families Dive into Arts Adventures
Art Participation Area - Everything those little hands need to make a masterpiece, all under the big tent, and every bit of it absolutely FREE! One of the Festival's most celebrated features. New for 2007: Ojos de Dios, It's a Breeze, I’ve Been Framed!, and Now THAT'S a Hat! Children's Stage - A merry introduction to the performing arts for the young and young at heart, the Children's Stage presents a grab-bag of smiles, songs, and silliness designed with families in mind. Discover: StoneLion Puppet Theatre; Jamie Adkins, comedy and juggling; Justin Roberts, songster; and Kenny J, Dance Party DJ. Also look for Sunset School Drummers, Ann Zimmerman and the Salina Children's Choir.
Northwest of the Tennis Court:  Justin Roberts (with Liam Davis) - Four-time Parent's Choice Gold Award winner Justin Roberts has emerged as a key player in the world of hip kids' music. Justin has performed on the road in renowned venues ranging from NYC's Symphony Space to LA's Getty Museum. His fifth kids' album, Meltdown!, a James Taylor-esque collection about imaginary rhinos and tattling, has made him a favorite of the sippy-cup set. "Justin is rapidly becoming a superstar of this scene. His sophisticated music could be mistaken for that of an unusually jaunty alt-rock band, if it weren't for his peppy delivery and lyrics about kid-specific topics." - Nick Jr. magazine. - www.justinroberts.org  Jamie Adkins - From Montreal, Canada, master vaudevillian Jamie Adkins balances on slack rope, pops ping-pong balls, catches grapes on a fork and juggles just about everything around him. "...playing the role of the clumsy oaf, Jamie Adkins grabs the audience's attention with fast-paced juggling and keeps us laughing with his mimicry and knack of being in the wrong place at the wrong time..." (Recklinghauser Zeitung, Germany)  I Am Kenny J Productions - It's a dance party on the childrens stage! Dancing "like no one is watching," Kenny J and his assistants will rock the house! IAKJP is one of the most progressive line dance groups with in the "Soul" line dance community from New Jersey to Washington, D.C. Celebrating their mission of "footwork with a purpose" through healthy lifestyles and community enrichment, IAKJP dances "like no one is watching." Look for them roving around the Festival, you may just want boogie along!  StoneLion Puppet Theatre - Enjoy two different puppet plays! "It's a Jungle Out There" focuses on environmental concerns in a lighthearted way, narrated by Felicia Flash and her sidekick, Karma the elephant. Based on the book "The Wind in the Willows," Mr. Toad is struck with a new obsession, "AUTOMOBILE"! Mayhem breaks out when he gets behind the wheel. Led by founder and puppeteer Heather Nisbett-Loewenstein, catch StoneLion puppeteers and their amazing collection of puppets roving around the Festival. Watch your favorite kids and local artists perform for you! - Don't miss songstress Ann Zimmerman, The Salina Children's Choir and Sunset Elementary School's S.T.A.R. D.R.U.M.* group. *Students That Are Ready with Discipline, Respect and Unity to make Music. First Treasures, Art for Young Collectors - provides an opportunity for young art patrons (ages 3-13) to choose and purchase original artwork at child-affordable prices ($5 or less). This tented venue features a variety of media made available from our Festival artists and craftpersons. The purpose of the First Treasures tent is to encourage, educate and develop the art patrons of the future. Young art buyers have enjoyed the opportunity to seek out the artists on the grounds to talk about their purchase and find out more about the art and the artists. A Festival Saturday event, the First Treasures tent is open from 11:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 9. Children can pre-register for entrance timeblocks, staggered every 30 minutes. Plan on being in line a minimum of 5-10 minutes before your entrance timeblock starts. Registration for entrance timeblocks begins at 9 a.m., Saturday, June 9. Games Area - Salina's non-profit groups present tried and true games of chance for the bubble-gum bunch. From pop-a-shot to the plinko boards, it’s a bustling bonanza! Face Painting - nothing says "I'm having Festival Fun!" more than a colorful little face— you can be a prima donna princess, a brave buccaneer or a silly old clown—so do it up right! Children's Area Extras - The Festival Children's Area is a place where a kid can explore to his heart’s content! Don’t miss the bounty of blocks at Lego Landing, and a chance to dig into the Sand Sculpture area. Our roving performers share up-close and personal moments with every kid they meet along the way. So get out there and dive right in! Be safe at the Festival - Please stop by the Ident-A-Kid booth to get your I.D. bracelet. It’s the best way for us to find your mom or dad if they gets lost while you've been busy playing! Oasis - The Festival's baby station (located next to the Face Painting shelter) is a quiet place where you can change a wet nappy and give baby a drink in a bit of privacy. We can also give you a hand if you've run short of diapers.