GRAND KIDS FESTIVAL Set for 4/5 at Grand 1894 Opera House

Celebrating its 19th year in bringing the arts to area families, The Grand Kids Festival will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday, April 5th on Postoffice Street from 20th to 23rd streets, in historic downtown Galveston's Cultural Arts District. Considered one of the area's premier spring events, this fun, family-friendly festival will showcase an excellent variety of performances by student choirs, dance groups, bands and musicians - along with hands-on arts and craft activities for kids of all ages.

This year's Grand Kids Fest will showcase four-time Grammy Nominee Trout Fishing in America! Created over three decades ago as a musical partnership by Texans Keith Grimwood and Ezra Idlet, these two well-known entertainers continue to seamlessly blend their musical talents to appeal to the imagination and hearts of audiences of all ages. Grimwood plays bass and Idlet, guitar and banjo. You and your family won't want to miss singing along to some of their most popular songs such as "Big Round World", Lookin' at Lucky" and many more. New student groups making an appearance this year include the "All Stars" Banjo Band under the Direction of Buddy Griffin who leads more than fifty student banjo players from ages 7 to 17 and who will surely get your toes tapping and hands clapping and the Texas City Choral department under the direction of Kathy Skinner. Many of our Galveston schools' performing groups will be returning as we showcase their amazing talent.

New vendors include the 5-minute portrait done by Cecelia Eidenmiller, Pastel Street Murals by Miller Intermediate from Pasadena, Tx , a Mini 9-Hole Golf Course, Bungee Trampolines and Kona Ice. The festival also features hands-on arts and craft activities for kids of all ages, as well as opportunities to learn about quilting, woodworking and puppet creation. Visit the giant tipi or the petting zoo, create a sidewalk chalk masterpiece or try blowing bubbles at the bubble pond. And, be sure and come hungry as food booths will offer a variety of fun food selections.

Sponsors for the 2014 festival (to date) include: Jamail Galveston Foundation, The Permanent Endowment Fund of Moody Memorial First United Methodist Church, Yaga's Children's Fund, Alice Taylor Gray Foundation, Galveston.com and Company, Houston Family Magazine, CenterPoint Energy, Texas Commission on the Arts, Lyda Ann Kempner Thomas, Armin Cantini, The Commodore on the Beach Hotel and the Park Board of Trustees of the City of Galveston, as well as many friends of the festival and in-kind donors.

Festival admission on Saturday April 5, 2014 is $5.00 for adults; $3.00 for children, ages 5-12; free for children 4 years and younger. With advance purchase, Saturday's tickets are available at half-price. Full-price tickets may be purchased at the festival gates. Additional fees may be charged for some activities.

For more information about The Grand Kids Festival, or to purchase tickets for The Grand Kids Festival or upcoming performances, please visit www.thegrand.com, call 800.821.1894 or 409.765.1894. The Grand 1894 Opera House, located at 2020 Postoffice Street in historic downtown Galveston, is recognized as "The Official Opera House of the State of Texas."

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