Do you have one child who is begging to see stars at the planetarium, another who is yearning to play skee ball and a third who is up for a circus?
What: Hannaford Kidz Expo
Where: Empire State Plaza in Albany
When: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Saturday, March 2
Cost: Free
At any other time of year, you may need to toss a coin, but this month you are in luck. They can do that and much more at the Hannaford Kidz Expo Saturday, March 2, at the Empire State Plaza.
The Kidz Expo, returning for its eighth year, draws thousands of people annually. The event showcases more than 100 vendors, exhibitors and activities for sports enthusiasts, bookworms, information junkies, arts and craft lovers and more. While the kids are busy exploring, parents will have the opportunity to learn about summer camps, educational programs and hundreds of other resources available for families in the surrounding communities.
“The event becomes more popular every year. Last year, there were about 8,000 people, and we anticipate it will grow again this year,” says Joseph Brill, from the state Office of General Services.
Some of the more popular activities that will be returning this year are the Roaming Railroad, which is a custom-built train ride; bounce houses; Radio Disney; and Star Wars characters. Some of the exhibitions debuting this year are the Albany Berkshire Ballet, which will perform a mix of classical ballet and contemporary dance; the Albany Pine Bush, which will provide kids an opportunity to participate in an educational scavenger hunt; and Obstacle House, which will have kids moving and grooving to a healthy beat.
Sari Medick from Tiny Tots Tea Room in Clifton Park has been bringing her “Playroom on the Plaza” to the expo for two years.
“This year, we will be doing an arts and crafts project around dinosaurs and have different toys, play equipment and mats,” says Medick.
She says the best part about the “Playroom on the Plaza” is that the kids can get up and out of strollers, and the parents can sit down and relax for a while.
Medick took over Tiny Tots Tea Room two years ago and says the expo gives her a chance to meet families from all over the Capital District and let them know what her indoor playground and cafe is all about.
“It’s not an Albany event by any means. It’s a Capital Region event,” she says. “People come from everywhere.”
Medick says before manning the portable playground at the expo, she used to explore the booths with her two children. Now that her kids have grown, she says she loves being able to work at the event, although she admits she does get a little envious of those still exploring the booths.
“I’m jealous because I’m stuck in the booth all day,” she says.
The event will encompass the entire convention hall, all seven meeting rooms, the Swyer Theatre at the Egg and more than half of the quarter-mile-long concourse.
The free event is open to everyone and will take place March 2, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Empire State Plaza in Albany. Pick up the March edition of Capital District Parent Pages for more information, maps and schedules.