Kidz Expo brings out thousands for activities
ALBANY, N.Y. » With deep slushy snow covering area fields and playgrounds, options were limited for fun outdoors activities on Saturday.
So thousands of children from throughout the Capital Region headed indoors for the annual Kidz Expo at Empire State Plaza in Albany.
The event, sponsored by Hannaford Supermarkets, featured all kinds of activities including theater performances, bounce rides, arts and crafts and mini- golf, plus more than 100 vendors such as Troy-based Bash Birthday Parties, which puts on customized themed celebrations for people. “I like seeing how excited kids get when they win a little prize,” owner Tara Allen said. “We have little pinatas for them here today. This is a really well organized, well run event.”
Boys and girls stood in line for a chance to romp around inside one of the large bounce houses on the Convention Center’s main floor. Vendors were set up all around it, and throughout the
length of the plaza’s long Concourse.
Cindy Mangione staffed a table for the Fresh Air Fund, which is looking for host families, allowing kids from New York City to spend a week upstate this summer, beginning June 29. To volunteer, go to: freshair.org.
Other booths gave parents information about summer camps, health care, sports clubs, photographers, schools, dance studio, and amusement parks.
Kirk and Carey Shoen of Ballston Spa and their three children -- Brandon, Christopher and Juliana -- were making their third annual trip to Kidz Expo.
“There’s so many things they can play, games and activities. There’s educational things as well as fun things. So even if they don’t know it, they’re learning while having a good time,” Kirk said, smiling.
Tristan Beeble of Latham said his 2-year-old son, Connor, enjoyed the reptile area most.
“There’s a lot going on for him, a lot to see,” Beeble said. “It’s a fun way to get out of the house and keep everybody happy.”
Connor’s little brother, Evan, not quite a year old, also attended the event.
A special Healthy Kidz Room had activities designed to get youngsters on their feet and playing together, such as tunnel crawls, hopper balls, balance beams and slalom poles.
Children also learned how to use a hula hoop and tried their hand at golf, with instruction from Class A PGA pro Kevin Haller, of Saratoga Springs, who showed them how to tee up and drive the ball.
“I started playing when I was 2 years old and it kind of led me to where I am,” he said. “Anything that gets a club in a kid’s hands, gets them swinging and creates the excitement that surrounds golf is a good thing. That’s what this does. It piques their interest. This whole event is amazing. I’ve already texted about 10 of my friends and told them: ‘ Hey, get in your car and come on down.’ It’s a spectacular event.”