This year’s KidsFest may have been the largest turnout that we have ever had. Beautiful weather and wonderful community support made the 2016 family festival a huge success.

This annual free to the community  festival of entertainment, learning, and great food for kids and their families was attended by approximately 1,200 people.

Many thanks to the Mocksville Parks & Recreation Department for partnering with Smart Start of Davie to plan the event and allowing the use of the Brock gym and facilities, and to the Mocksville Masonic Lodge for allowing Smart Start the use of its picnic grounds.

“This is one of the largest kids event held at the Brock & Masonic Picnic Grounds during the year,” said Mike Garner, retired parks and rec director.

“We will miss Mike’s help with this event in the coming years, since he and his wonderful staff have been a huge part of the event’s success for over 15 years,” said Gena Taylor,  SSDC director.  “Mike’s staff, including Sandra, Emily, Gary, and others are dedicated volunteers that help make this event unfold like a well oiled machine.”

More than 24 local agencies and organizations were a part of the event to share with families about the services that they offer.

“Kidsfest is more than a festival. It’s a fun-filled day for families to have fun with their children and learn more about what services are offered in our county,” Taylor said.

Parents gathered information from church preschools, child care centers, YMCA, DSS, Davie County Health Department, Davie County Library, Davie County Sherriff’s Department DARE officer, other family services, health services, and mental health facilities.  Each table had an educational activity for children while parents talked to volunteers about what was available with their organization.

Three bounce houses, an obstacle course, a magician, music, and activities had every child busy.

The YMCA offered several fun activities including face painting and homemade slime to make and take home. The Y’s smoothie bike was a hit where children powered an attached blender to make smoothies just by riding the bike.

Krysta Gary and Luke Harris led activities like Zumba and youth training on the main stage. Linda Copland from Davie Domestic Violence Services led the KidPower class for parents and children.

Ryan Short is a signature attraction with his magic show, complete with live animal. Short also spent countless hours making balloon art for children.

Lou Wilson, Erin Penley and Jason Carter, music teachers at Davie elementary schools, led a group of combined chorus students from around the county.
Lowes Build & Grow gave building kits to children for the third year in a row. Mike Garner shared some of his prize-winning bunnies.   

Gladys Scott, Cesar Romero, Marcella Brown,  Anna and Mike Jenkens, and  Roxanne McDaniel are dedicated volunteers; and many students including Boy Scouts, JROTC, and Future Educators of America from Davie High School were volunteers.