A crowd of almost 700 attended
 
(Long Island, NY) Long Island’s second annual All Kids Fair took place on Sunday, April 22, 2012 at the Melville Marriott – Long Island to a crowd of almost 700.  The All Kids Fair, a day celebrating childhood, was part health and wellness fair and part activities and education expo.
 
There were 24 fun and interesting classes at the All Kids Fair.  Half were geared towards the adults, including classes about Saving Money for College, the Holistic Approach to Getting the Family Healthy, and Potty Training.  Classes for children and their families to share together included Martial Arts, Music, and Hula Hooping.
 
Over 90 exhibitors offered information about topics as diverse as nutrition, after school activities, camps, tutoring, fun places to play, dental care, and special needs topics. Many products were sold as well, from diaper bags to health products to jewelry.

A food drive organized by The INN – Interfaith Nutrition Network – raised $350 and over 100 pounds of food to feed Long Island’s hungry.  Those who donated received raffle tickets to win great prizes, including two bicycles donated by All About Kids.  Many other non-profits participated, including two JCCs, the American Airpower Museum, Let All The Children Play, and My SHINE Program.

Also in attendance were QuackerJack from the Long Island Ducks, Sparky from the New York Islanders, WALKie Bear from WALK Radio, and Catherine Manett, Miss Long Island Teen 2012.
 
Attendees enjoyed free sandwiches from The Meat House and samples from Prestige Pro Personal Chef Service.  Free face painting, balloon animals, child ID kits, ADD screenings, and relaxation CDs were available from a variety of exhibitors.

For the second year in a row, over 80% of the attendees gave the event an overall rating of “very good” or “excellent” in a written survey.  One attendee, Joyce MenDell, described her experience.  “My kids as well as well as the grownups had a great time at the fair.  This was one of the best I have been to from the way it was organized to all the different vendors you had.”
 
The fair, organized as a celebration of kids – all kids – was designed to bring together businesses, vendors, and non-profit organizations with children from birth through high school age, along with the people who love them.  This was reflected by the All Kids Fair slogan, “From Mommy & Me to the SAT!”

This event was sponsored by Nassau Parent/Suffolk Parent, Music Together, Long Island Parent Source, Long Island Parent Magazine, WALK Radio, and Natural Awakenings.
                                            
All Kids Fair Director Barbara Kaplan and her staff are busy planning their next events, the 3rd Annual “Over 50 Fair” on September 30, 2012, geared towards adults age 50+, and the next All Kids Fair event which will take place in spring 2013.  Details can be found at www.Over50Fair.com and www.AllKidsFair.com.