Newport News Parks, Recreation & Tourism will present the thirtieth Newport News Children's Festival of Friends on Saturday, May 4, 2019 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Newport News Park. Children can meet their favorite book characters, including Pout Pout Fish, Little Critter, and Frog & Toad; and see animals from ZooPro (exotic animals) and Gum Tree Farm (farm animals). The youngest festival guests can play in a special Pre-school Play Area. New for 2019, are performances by Scott Wagoner Magic (12:00 p.m.), Rainbow Puppet Productions “Creatures Great & Small” (1:00 p.m.), Newport News Police K-9 Demonstration (1:00 p.m.) and the Mosaic Steel Drum Jr. Ensemble (2:00 p.m.). Children from the Newport News Parks, Recreation & Tourism Instructional Class Programs City Arts dance program will showcase their talents at 3:00 p.m.
The festival will feature over 100 hands-on activities and attractions that will include make-and-take crafts, pony rides, trackless train, moon bounce, slide, obstacle course, fitness activities (gymnastics, obstacle courses, and tennis) to name a few. There will also be educational exhibits to include science experiments and gardening. Children will get a chance to see a variety of farm animals along with sheep shearing demonstrations. All activities are provided by City Departments and community organizations that provide services for children.
There is a $5.00 parking fee per vehicle. Festival admission and all activities (including all rides) are free. Thirteen food vendors will sell a variety of items including cupcakes, gourmet popsicles, kettle corn, shaved ice, funnel cakes, wood fired pizza, waffles, seafood, gourmet cotton candy, barbeque, and Puerto Rican food. No pets will be permitted in the festival area. Newport News Park is located at the corner of Jefferson Avenue and Ft. Eustis Boulevard. From I-64E, take Exit 247 and turn left onto Jefferson Avenue. From I-64W, take Exit 250B and follow the signs to Newport News Park. For more information, call 757-926-1400.
2019 CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL OF FRIENDS
EVENT DETAILS
DISCOVERY STAGE
11:00 am ZooPro (Animals)
12:00 pm Scott Wagoner Magic
1:00 pm Rainbow Puppet Production’s “Creatures Great & Small”
2:00 pm Mosaic Steel Drum Jr. Ensemble, Sponsored by the Newport News Arts Commission
3:00 pm Newport News City Arts (Dance)
STORYTELLING/MEET AND GREET
Pout Pout Fish - 11:30 am & 1:30 pm
Little Critter - 12:30 pm & 3:30 pm
Frog & Toad - 2:30 pm
Exhibitors/Activities
Navy Fleet & Family Support Center- brochures, GAK
City of Newport News Fire Department- SAFE house, stickers, fire hats
Newport News Engineering- coloring books, lanyards, prize wheel
Newport News Public Library Systems- activities, button, storytelling
Newport News Police Department- K9 demo
Newport News Recycling (Public Works)- recycling relay, green hairspray
Mad Science- exciting, hands-on science experiments
Newport News Master Gardeners- Make-and-Take Flower Activity
Newport News Citizen Police Academy Alumni Association- coloring and activity books, bendable figurines, prize wheel
HR CAP- arts and crafts, coloring/drawing station
Newport News Parks, Recreation & Tourism Youth Programs - crafts, games, summer camp info.
Newport News Parks, Recreation & Tourism Instructional Programs - face painting, gymnastics tumbling course, class demos, craft
Newport News Parks, Recreation & Tourism Aquatics - under the sea activity
Newport News Parks, Recreation & Tourism Tennis Program - tennis games & activities
Sister Cities of Newport News, Inc. - coloring activities, international flag display
Newport News Tourism - handouts, prize wheel, photo op
Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center - literature, art activity
Denbigh East Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses - coloring activities, crafts
Charity Independent Baptist Church - flyers, toys, candy
NN- Hampton Chapter- Continental Societies, Inc. - arts & crafts, literature
Boy Scouts of America - games
Girl Scouts of Colonial Coast - membership and camp information, children’s activities, give-a-ways
Smart Beginnings Virginia Peninsula - brochures, face painting, coloring sheets
Center for Sexual Assault Survivors - literature, buttons, personalized door hangers
Newport News Healthy Families - program information, activities
Virginia Cooperative Extension - information about programs, give-a-ways, finger painting
Department of Medical Assistance Services (FAMIS) - literature, give-a-ways, coloring books and crayons
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) - hula hoops, basket shot, magnets, candy, Wheel of Famous People
Edmarc Hospice for Children - brochures, coloring pages, craft, tic-tac-toe, Wags (mascot)
CASA- games and prizes, hand outs
Newport News Radio Control Club - remote airplanes, helicopters, drones, rc simulators
Hope Church - games and prizes, face painting, summer activity list
Gum Tree Farm - farm animals and sheep shearing demonstrations
Pony Rides - pony rides for children
ZooPro - live animal exhibit
Peninsula Regional Animal Shelter - shelter and adoption info., adoption van, craft
Fun Bus - fitness fun on wheels
Newport News Animal Services - Animal Services truck, animal welfare display
FREE Inflatable Rides - moon bounces, slides, trackless train, and obstacle course
*Preschool PlayZone - created especially for the younger fans of the Festival
Midtown Mystiques Synchronized Swimming - activity, princess characters
Bricks4 Kidz - legos
Drum Your Dream- drum circles
FOOD VENDORS
Couture Cakes by Nika
Jubilee Fun Foods
Crazy Pops Gourmet Popsicles
Deep Fried Inc.
Green Mountain Kettle Korn
Hawaiian Sno
Le Waf
Mr. Potato
Pennsylvania Dutch Funnel Cake of VA
Over the Moon Pizza
Capt. Harrell & Sons Seafood Kitchen
Sugar Shack
Ben & Jerry’s
El Coqui Puerto Rican Cuisine