Laurie Chase KidsFest was supposed to be held on May 4, but because Mother Nature had other plans, the afternoon festival was a washout.
But organizers guarantee the show will go on, rain or shine, on the rescheduled date, Sunday, May 18, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
If the sun is shining, the event will be where it was originally scheduled: Washington Square, Washington Street, Merrimack Street and Columbus Park. If it's raining, the event now has a dry alternative.
"The Mayor has approved the Merrimack Street garage for our rain location," said KidsFest co-chair Warren Gerety.
Except for only a few, minor revisions, Gerety promises a KidsFest held under the cover of the garage will be just as good as the outdoor version. The doll parade, the music, the dancing, Haverhill Idol and all the other fun of KidsFest will still take place.
"It looks like we'll have a great event again, no matter what," Gerety said. "If we need it, we now have the ability to carry on."
Organizers were relieved to nab the Merrimack Street garage as an alternative to postponing the festival even further, which could have turned into several weeks with Memorial Day and the end of school looming.
They were also glad to secure the garage because other events organized by the Haverhill Downtown Association and the Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce, such as the Italian Festival two years ago, found adequate shelter there.
"We know it works," said Gerety. "It's huge."
Most of the planned entertainment can come on the new date, but a few had to reluctantly withdraw because of conflicts. However, Kidsfest organizers have found other entertainers to fill their shoes. Josh Williams, a 12-year-old country singer from Haverhill who has won international acclaim will perform, as well as local vocal talent Jillian Cardarelli. Pattavina's Dance Academy will take the place of the dance studio that was originally scheduled.
Another unfortunate casualty of the rainout is that Ron Carpenito will no longer be able to be the master of ceremonies, a position he has held for many years.
So state Sen. Stephen Baddour will replace Carpenito as the opening ceremonies emcee. Organizers are working on other local faces to help pace KidsFest through the afternoon.
Some new events to this year's KidsFest will still take place and organizers hope children will be excited to take part. The first element is a Guitar Hero demonstration sponsored by the Rockingham Athletic Club in Plaistow, N.H.
Kids will get to try out their skills on the plastic guitar controller, and two Guitar Hero games will be raffled off. Other prizes include music lessons from the Haverhill Music Center. Organizers hope to key in on the incredible popularity of the rockstar-simulation video game.
"It's a huge rage," said organizer Janet Donovan.
Another new crowd-pleaser is the children's pedal tractor pull. Donovan first saw the event at the Sandwich Fair in New Hampshire when her son had a ball participating, and she's happy to bring the fun to downtown Haverhill.
Children sit on replica John Deere tractors and pedal their way through the race. However, as they make it every 10 feet, bricks are added to the plastic sled they have in tow so it gets heavier and heavier. Everyone who participates gets a ribbon, and winners get a tractor trophy. The pedal tractors will be provided by the H.R. Rosencrantz and Sons John Deere dealer of East Kingston and Derry, N.H., who will also be bringing full-size tractors for children to see.
