Experience Children’s Festival of the Arts 2024
All ages are welcome to create their own free take-home projects
Celebrating its 31st year, the annual Children’s Festival of the Arts will take place Saturday, April 20, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at downtown Yuma’s historic Main Street.
“The goal for the festival is to provide opportunities for kids to experience art and be able to do a little bit of everything,” said Ana P. Padilla, marketing specialist for Yuma’s Parks and Recreation.
Over 40 make-and-take activity booths provided by local nonprofit organizations, businesses and schools will offer a variety of options for creating hands-on art. No two booths are the same.
Participation at every booth is completely free, and every art project created can be taken home free of charge.
The festival’s purpose is for the kids, but people of all ages are welcome to try their hand at clay, slime, paint, origami, jewelry-making, hat-making, and any of the other forms of arts and crafts available this Saturday, Padilla said.
A photo booth will also be available for future artists to take photos with their creations.
After an opening ceremony at 10 a.m., local dance and music performances will take place on an outdoor stage every half hour of the festival, including but not limited to performances by Miss Yuma County, Freedom Dance Performing Arts, Yuma Shorin Ryu Karate, and Arizona Classical Ballet.
Onlookers can enjoy tacos, lemonade, shaved ice and other food options from local vendors while taking in performances.
Don’t forget to stop in the Yuma Art Center for an exhibit highlighting artwork from elementary, middle, junior high and high schools around the Yuma area, which will display paintings, collages, and ceramic pieces.
Again, participation at all the booths is free, but since everything is hands-on, Padilla recommends wearing clothing that can get dirty with paint, glitter or clay, as well as bringing a bag to
carry art projects around. There will also be a foam area for kids to play in, so bringing a towel is recommended for those wanting to take advantage.
New to this year, a small mural with the festival’s logo will be made with help from the kids.
Children’s Festival of the Arts is a cost-efficient outing for any family looking for ways to get their creative juices flowing, and the City of Yuma invites all people to be a part of the arts.