Free meal, entertainment tonight for area families
By Alandra Johnson / The Bulletin
Published: April 11. 2008 4:00AM PSTVictor
Johnson will perform from 5:30 to 6:30 tonight.
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A community dinner today has all of the ingredients families might look for in a fun, kid-friendly event.
Pretty outdoor setting: Check.
Live children’s music: Check.
Games and activities for kids (including potato sack races): Check.
Free dinner: Check.
That’s right, this year’s community dinner, sponsored by Working Wonders Children’s Museum, will offer families a fun and free evening (see “If you go”).
This is the second year of the event, which runs from 4 to 7:30 p.m. today at Hollinshead Barn. The community dinner was started as a way to celebrate young children during the National Week of the Young Child.
Organizers consider last year’s community dinner a big success and say the event attracted at least 400 people (that’s how many people they fed, but more may have shown up just for the music).
Because of its popularity, organizers don’t want to mess with the winning formula. They have the same location and are bringing back the same headliner, popular children’s musician Victor Johnson.
“We want to make it a really established event in the community,” said Amber Garvey, program and events manager for Working Wonders.
More than a dozen kid-focused businesses, nonprofits and community organizations will be on hand to offer infoormation to parents and to provide activities for children.
Project Learning Tree, from Oregon State University, will lead children in a nature activity where they will learn about animal camouflage and the changing of the seasons. Other activities include red light-green light, bean bag toss, making bookmarks and reading. Ben & Jerry’s will also be on hand to serve up $2 ice cream cones.
As for the free dinner, Garvey says parents should expect healthy barbecue options.
Local children’s musician Janelle Musson, known as Janellybean, will perform from 4:30 to 5 p.m. Johnson will hit the stage from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Dancing and singing along are highly encouraged.
Earlier in the day, Johnson will make an appearance at Working Wonders Children’s Museum.
Kids and adults can join Johnson and Steve McLennon for a music workshop at Working Wonders (the workshop is included with $6 admission). Children can make their own instruments from 10:30 to 11 a.m. and then can join in the music making alongside Johnson beginning at 11 a.m.
“Kids just really love his music,” said Garvey.
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