The Children’s Trust invites South Florida families to enjoy the 6th Annual FREE Family Expo from 10 AM to 6 PM on Sat., September 15th, 2012, at the Miami- Dade County Fair & Exposition, located at 10901 Coral Way (SW 24th Street) in Miami.
The all-day festival provides parents with direct access to important resources in a fun and festive atmosphere. Already the largest free family resource fair in our community, with record crowds exceeding 20,000, more than 250 displays are featured in two exhibit halls showcasing information about after-school programs, education, health, injury prevention, Pre-K registration, KidCare, programs for children with disabilities, and much more. Each hall offers two stages packed with musical and vocal entertainment; theatrical presentations of beloved children’s stories; face painting; balloon sculpting; stilt walkers; magicians; and character greetings, including Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob, Patrick, and Diego.
New this year is the Back-to-School Boulevard, representing almost twenty departments within Miami-Dade County Public Schools, showcasing everything from student services and school choice to adult education. Also new is a special area tied to The Children’s Trust Read to Learn campaign. This area will include a free book giveaway by the Miami-Dade Family Learning Partnership; registration to thefree Read to Learn Book Club for all 3-year-olds; a Scholastic Book Fair featuring thousands of titles at affordable prices; and performances of classic fairytales.
Baptist Health of South Florida introduces “Five-a-Day, the Baptist Health Way,” a fresh produce giveaway offering families five fruits and vegetables to takehome along with recipe cards to help parents incorporate healthier foods into their daily diet. The Expo Greenhouse returns for its second year, led by teachers from The Education Fund’s “Plant a Thousand Gardens” Nutrition Initiative, with edible gardening workshops teaching children and families how to grow their very own vegetable or herb garden. Each child participating in the workshop will take home their own seedling.
The Wacky Wild Science Area features an interactive, creepy-crawly bug adventure, while The Miami Children’s Museum operates a fun-filled arts and crafts area based on its popular ‘Wizard of Oz’ exhibit. Experience Aviation’s Barrington Irving, the youngest person to pilot an airplane around the world solo, provides aviation simulators for school-age children and youth, and chess tournaments will be hosted by Stormont Kings.
Back by popular demand, the IndoorSports Fun Zone features T-ball and speed pitching practice presented by the Miami Marlins, activities hosted by the Miami Dolphins, as well as tennis and martial arts demonstrations. Additionally, the Outdoor Recreation Area willshowcase rock-climbing walls and elaborate bounce houses.
The Children’s Trust will distribute free gifts to the first 1,000 children, including backpacks for school-age children. Admission, parking, all activities and entertainment are free. Food and beverages will be sold inside and out by awide variety of new vendors to satisfy everyone’s taste.
Sponsors of The Children’s Trust 2012 Family Expo include: Baptist Health South Florida, Target, Amerigroup, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, The Miami Herald, El Nuevo Herald, Momsmiami.com and Univision Radio.
For more information about The Children’s Trust Family Expo, visit www.thechildrenstrust.org or call 211, The Children’s Trust Helpline.
The Children’s Trust is a dedicated source of revenue established by voter referendum to improve the lives of children and families in Miami-Dade County by making strategic investments in their futures.
