< PreviousCustom Beach Homes Remodeling Decks & Patios Siding & Windows Backyard Projects “Customize Your Home” J.A. Weldon Construction, Inc. MOTHER’S DAY HIGH TEA Come and enjoy High Tea at Virginia Point Inn 2327 Avenue K, Galveston, TX 77550 Dates available: April 20th, 21st, 27th, 28th • May 4th, 5th, 11th, 3pm $60.00 per Person (Under 18, $35.00 per person) Space is limited. Call to reserve your spot! Contact: Pam Fleetwood : 409-497-4944 10 | The Daily News | The Grand Kids Festival | 2024 ISLAND QUILTERS GUILD Galveston Island has been home to the Island Quilters Guild since 1991. The group’s focus is to provide opportunities for its members to learn and appreciate the art of quilting and encourage members to improve their skills and exchange ideas. Explore and learn more about the art of quilting at www.galvestonquilters.org. Booth 32 TEXAS CITY BALLOON TWISTERZ Texas City Balloon Twisterz artists will twist and turn balloons into creative shapes and characters. Balloon creations are a free activity at the festival. For more information, visit www.TexasCityBalloonTwisterz.com; Make sure you let everyone have a turn. Booth 109 MARSHA’S PETTING ZOO Walk and talk with the animals as you visit Marsha’s Petting Zoo. The petting zoo is free; a nominal fee will be charged for feed cups if you wish to feed the animals. www.marshaszoo.com. SELFIE STATIONS This is a fun, free activity. People say you ought to be in pictures, and now you can! There will be three selfie stations. Take a picture. Make sure you tag #GKF24 on Facebook. TRAIN RIDE All aboard! Take a ride on our mini- train as it circles 22nd Street near Church Street. Train rides are always fun. Make sure you wave to your friends as you pass by! THE TOT SPOT For the youngest of festival guests, play on the kitchen band, blow bubbles, build with blocks or play in the moon sand box. It’s play time at its finest. FACE PAINTING BY THE GRAND From young to old, everyone can get their face painted in various ways. The Grand staff and volunteers will transform you into you your favorite character or favorite space alien. Note: A fee is charged based on the design size selected. CHECK OUT THESE BOOTHS!2024 | The Grand Kids Festival | The Daily News | 11 COSTUME CONTEST Blast off into costume glory! Calling all space cadets, cosmic heroes and/ or your favorite out-of-this-world character, the festival is warping into hyperspace with a costume contest like no other, and you’re invited to blast off with your most creative space-themed costumes. THE MISSION Dress up as your favorite character, creature from the vast expanse of space, classic astronaut or quirky alien or whatever else you dream up! Let your imagination take flight and fuel your creativity. CATEGORIES • Best individual costume: Go solo and shine like a supernova! Dazzle festival-goers with your unique cosmic creation. • Best group costume: Team up with your fellow space adventurers and craft an out-of–this-world ensemble that will leave everyone star struck. HOW TO PARTICIPATE The contest will be held at 3:30 p.m., Saturday, April 20 at Stage C. Let your intergalactic creativity take flight. All costumes must be age-appropriate and family-friendly. Prizes are sponsored by Schlitterbahn Waterpark Galveston. CHALK IT UP! ART CONTEST VOTING Stop by Edna’s Room at The Grand to view and vote on your favorite Chalk It Up Cosmic artwork created by county-wide high school students. The winners will be announced on the Grand Kids Festival Facebook page the Monday after the festival. The Grand will deliver prizes to the students at their schools. VOLO AERIAL ARTS The Grand Kids Festival will feature aerialist Kate Kislingbury on in the center of 22nd and Postoffice streets. Kislingbury was born and raised in Texas and studied classical ballet in Galveston before moving to Austin. The festival committee is thrilled to have her perform at the festival. For more information, visit www. methosaerial.com. MICE ICE Experience the delight of the return of Mice Ice, an otherworldly snow cone adventure straight out of Nederland, Texas. Encounter a hands-on snow cone machine unlike any other. This crazy activity is where kids step onto the giant mouse wheel, run themselves silly while crafting their own sno-cone. You will work up an appetite as you run on the giant mouse wheel; it truly is an out-of-this-world experience. You can find this activity at 21st Street toward Market Street. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/ MICEICETX. ENTERTAINERS AND PERFORMERS CONTINUED ON PAGE 1212 | The Daily News | The Grand Kids Festival | 2024 ENTERTAINERS AND PERFORMERS LEMONADE DAY Join the Galveston Regional Chamber of Commerce as chamber staff sparks the entrepreneurial spirit in Galveston County’s youth for Lemonade Day. Sign-up and get ready for Lemonade Day 2024 on May 4. Children can find guidance, resources and excitement to start their entrepreneurial journey. Empower your children to embrace entrepreneurship. Encourage them to seize the day, whip up some lemonade and embark on a sweet journey of innovation and success. STUDENT PERFORMERS ON STAGE! American Elite Dance, Bay Area Arts Conservatory, Burnet Folkloric Dancers, Crenshaw Guitar Ensemble, Diva Stars, Fanfare Lutheran Music Academy, Galveston Ballet, Galveston Homeschool Performing Arts Show Choir, Guajardo Singing Eagles, Island Grappling Academy, Melillo Middle School 5th Grade Choir, Morris Middle School 5th Grade Choir, Oppe Elementary Choir, Oppe Hispanic Dance Club, Winners Circle Break Dance Troupe, Purple Box Theatre, Simmbro. STILTWALKER ADAM SKIMORE Don’t miss the incredible stiltwalker Adam Skidmore. You can’t miss him because he will tower over the crowd and he will be greeting guests throughout the day. Make sure to get a picture with him. MARGARET CLAUDER, AKA ASTRONOMER ANNIE Margaret Clauder, renowned as a festival favorite, brings her boundless energy to the stage once again, this time as the beloved character Astronomer Annie. With her flair for captivating audiences, Clauder will engage children on an enthralling journey through the cosmos, exploring the mysteries of the sun, moon and planets. From the depths of Texas to the far reaches of the virtual world, her performances have enchanted CONTINUED ON PAGE 14 Astronomer Annie Stiltwalker Adam Skimore2024 | The Grand Kids Festival | The Daily News | 1314 | The Daily News | The Grand Kids Festival | 2024 ENTERTAINERS AND PERFORMERS countless young hearts and minds. Through her signature blend of interactive storytelling, puppetry, ventriloquism, magic and humor, Clauder ensures that learning becomes an adventure to remember. As Astronomer Annie, she illuminates the wonders of the universe, and makes learning fun. SUE KUENTZ Sue Kuentz, a Texas Commission on the Arts storyteller, is an annual festival favorite known for her lively and humorous style. With multicultural tales and personal narratives, she engages family audiences using words, music, puppetry and string figures. Drawing from her 32-year teaching and librarian experience, Kuentz inspires active participation, even from reluctant listeners. Her passion for storytelling aims to revive the tradition of family storytelling, ensuring stories live on for generations. For more information, visit www.door2lore.com. TONI SIMMONS Toni Simmons, a Texas Commission on the Arts storyteller, captivates audiences with her vibrant multicultural tales. With her diverse background, she effortlessly guides listeners on cultural journeys, inviting them to explore distant lands through her spirited storytelling. Through carefully woven rhythms, chants and movements, Simmons’ performances breathe life into familiar tales, engaging audiences of all backgrounds at the festival and beyond. To learn more, visit www.tonisimmons.com. THE TIPI TELLERS Tipi Tellers tell Earth stories to teach listeners of all ages how to appreciate the earth and help preserve its natural resources. Check out these stories in the giant, iconic tipi in the center of 21st Street, where the Tipi Tellers eagerly await the curious, the tired and the lost, entertaining and filling all with stories and tipi history. Many cannot resist the tipi’s pull, repeatedly returning to hear just one more story. To learn more, visit www. naturerocksnorth texas.org/partner/tipi-tellers. This storytelling attraction is located in the authentic tipi on 21st Street (see map) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. WALK AROUND CHARACTERS Don’t miss walk-around characters Nasa’s Giant Spaceman and Schotzy the mascot for Schlitterbahn Waterpark Galveston. Be sure to snap a photo with these characters. Toni Simmons The Tipi Tellers Missoula’s Children TheatreShani Atkinson Margo Markowitz Mati McGovern Ashley Patton Heidi Seigel Denise Vargas THE GRAND KIDS FESTIVAL THANKS 28th ANNIVERSARY EVENT SUPPORTERS The Grand 1894 Opera House 2023-2024 Board of Directors President, Charles Worthen President-Elect , James Woolsey Secretary, Edie Harrington Treasurer, Shae Jobe Assistant Treasurer , Doug Rogers Immediate Past-President, Saralyn Richard BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2024 FESTIVAL COMMITTEE Committee Co-chairs Pamela Gabriel and Denise Arango T he arts are an essential development tool for Texas communities. They impact state and local economies, preserve unique culture, enhance the quality of life and attract and retain a creative workforce. Texas Commission on the Arts (TCA) serves communities by offering services, grants and programs to cultivate and strengthen the cultural industries of Texas. In addition to providing jobs, Texas arts and cultural industries generate $4.5 billion annually in taxable sales. TCA also offers a program to provide affordable, high-quality artists willing to travel to other communities to perform. The Grand is fortunate to have several of these talented Texas artists performing at The Grand Kids Festival this year, including singer-songwriter Joe McDermott and storytellers Sue Kuentz, Toni Simmons and Margaret Clauder. The festival committee invites you to join The Grand in supporting the continued inclusion of the arts through the NEA and TCA. For information, contact Maureen M. Patton, Executive Director, at 409- 770-5051 or mpatton@thegrand.com. TEXAS COMMISSION ON THE ARTS IS A VITAL PART OF FESTIVAL SUPPORT T hank you to the festival’s 2024 sponsors (to date): Kathrine G. McGovern, Yaga’s Children’s Fund, Ippolito Charitable Foundation, DiMare Family, The Galveston Rotary Foundation, Inc., Alice Taylor Gray Foundation, UTMB Health, CenterPoint Energy, Kroger, Rudy and Paco’s Restaurant, Whataburger, Schlitterbahn Waterpark Galveston, Shawn Guttersen/Galv Parking, Texas Commission on the Arts and the Park Board of Trustees of the City of Galveston, as well as many friends of the festival and in-kind donors. Special thanks to the festival founding sponsors, including Mary Ainslie, The Gladys B. Foundation in honor of Robert Richard Thornton, The Harris and Eliza Kempner Fund, Bank of America and The Park Board of Trustees of the City of Galveston. In addition, the support of hundreds of volunteers, including The Grand’s Board of Directors, Advisory Committee, Education Committee, The Grand Phantoms, and many organizations and student groups, ensures the success of the festival each year. For more information about The Grand Kids Festival or to donate, call 800-821-1894, 409-765-1894 or visit www.grandkidsfestival.com. Denise Arango TJ Bath Jay Carnes Carolyn Clyburn Jan Collier Robert Evans John Frye Sandy Gartman Randy Garcia Pamela Gabriel Francesca Gonzalez Cora Harper Vippi Hinson Mary Hutton Kelly Johns Shelly Kessler Helen King Robert L. K. Lynch Margo Markowitz Dinah Matthews Peter M. Moore Alice O’Quin Victor Pierson Olivia Selman Gina Spagnola Andrea Sunseri Carolyn Sunseri James Woolsey 2024 | The Grand Kids Festival | The Daily News | 1516 | The Daily News | The Grand Kids Festival | 2024Next >