On Sunday, May 3, the city will be taken over by children of all ages as Downtown Haverhill hosts the Laurie Chase Kidsfest 2009.
The festival will span Washington Square, Washington Street, Columbus Park and Merrimack Street as the Queen Slipper City gets a Willy Wonk-ian makeover from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
All things fun and young will be celebrated at Kidsfest, with activities for kids of all ages including Haverhill Junior Idol, Haverhill Senior Idol, a doll parade, a chalk walk, a bouncy house, face painting, games and more. Columbus Park will be transformed into Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory by Little Sprouts.
There are plenty of activities that will appeal to teens and older kids as well, including skateboarding demonstrations, a basketball tournament, a DJ, a martial arts showcase and a giant rock climbing wall. There will also be three stages of entertainment with musical performances by local bands.
Entertainment Schedule (Main Stage):
11 a.m. - Opening Ceremonies
11:15 a.m. - Doll Parade
11:15 a.m. to 12 p.m. - DeAngelis School of Music
12 p.m. to 1 p.m. - Haverhill Idol Junior competition
1 p.m. to 2 p.m. - Karate Demonstration
2 p.m. to 2:05 p.m. - Team Haverhill Mural Unveiling
2:05 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. - Julian Polermo — Guitar Hero
2:20 p.m. to 3 p.m. - Music by Common Crossing
3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. - Haverhill Idol Senior competition
Entertainment Schedule (Columbus Park Stage):
11:45 a.m. - Doll Parade Announcements
1 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. - Ventriloquist Steve Devitt
1:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. - Fundamentals of Music and Movement
2:15 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. - Center for Performing Arts Dance
3 p.m. to 4 p.m. - "The Works"
4:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. - Zion puppet show
All Day Events:
Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory in Columbus Park
Motion Family Empowerment (Hula Hooping) on Essex Street
Chips Program in the Garibaldi
Bouncy House and Chalk Walk in Gleason's Lot
Live DJ
Coloring Contest with the Haverhill Gazette and Soles of Haverhill
Skateboarding Demonstrations
Sports Center on Emerson Street
Scavenger Hunt
50/50 Raffle (winner announced at 5 p.m.)
Wrestling Demonstrations
Vendors (food, arts, crafts, games, and other items)
Rock Climbing Wall
Community Support Committee:
(a division of the Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce)
Catherine Chang, Chairwoman - Chang's Tae Kwon Do America
Lynda Abate - Haverhill Bank
Jen Cantwell - Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce
Ron Carpenito - Prime Property Team/Keller Williams Realty
Staff Sgt. Brock Clukey - United States Army
Beth Dimitruk - Home Health VNA
Leanne Eastman - Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce
Jane England - England's Microcreamery
Tracy Fuller - YMCA
James Jajuga - Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce
Michael MacDonald - Chang's Tae Kwon Do America
Paul Malone - Haverhill Police Department
Pam Nolin - American Red Cross
Julia O'Brien - Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce
Deb Peglow - Volunteer
Bucky Tardif - Haverhill Resident
Jessica Todisco - Little Sprouts Child Enrichment Centers
Kathleen Stuart - Safe Harbor
Major Sponsors
Merrimack Valley Hospital
Trinity, E.M.S.
Pentucket Bank
Partnerships
Little Sprouts Child Enrichment Centers
YMCA
Sons of Italy
Bank of New England
DJ Julian Vincent Shea of Al-Bums Record Store
Diversified Business Systems
Haverhill Community Television
Bradford Labs
Kristen Eastman of Enchanted Bake Shoppe
Boston Sports Clubs
Pizzazze Hair Salon
Whittier Vo-Tech
