By BECKY GOODRICH
Kids and kids at heart are invited to join Missoula Parks and Recreation for Kidsfest 2015, a free summer celebration for Missoula families at Caras Park on Tuesday, July 28 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Admission and most activities are free.
Kidsfest features a wide variety of interactive games, arts and crafts, educational booths, live entertainment and fun activities for all ages. Families can enter a raffle drawing with great prizes and purchase food and beverages from local vendors. The Salamanders, a local all-ages rock band, is headlining the event, courtesy of Missoula Pediatric Dentistry. Kidsfest is co-sponsored by Parks and Recreation, Missoula Federal Credit Union and U-104.5 FM. U-104.5 will be broadcasting live from Kidsfest.
Parking is limited at Caras Park. Hourly pay parking is available at Central Park, 124 E. Main and Park Place, 201 E. Front. Kidsfest visitors may park at McCormick Park and walk the short distance across the Orange Street Bridge to Caras Park. Families can also ride the Mountain Line downtown for free. Call Mountain Line at 721-3333 for route information. For more information about Kidsfest and for updates to the list of exhibitors (below) visit the Missoula Parks and Recreation website or phone 721-PARK.
PARTIAL LIST OF 2015 Kidsfest Exhibitors – as of July 13
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issoula Parks and Recreation – Climbing wall, mini-tennis, pickleball, Jr. Playmakers football toss, bubble fun, slack line - Missoula Federal Credit Union – Water activity!
- U-104.5FM – music, emcee, swag giveaways
- CATCH St. Patrick’s Hospital – CATCH program education
- City of Missoula Bicycle Ambassadors – Bicycle safety info
- Childbloom Guitar Program – mini guitar lessons & youth guitar performances
- Children’s Dentistry of the Rockies – Tooth-brushing game, prize
- Flagship Program – Bubbles booth
- Full Circle Counseling Solutions – Bean bag toss and sidewalk chalk
- Glacier Ice Rink – TBD
- Jessica Cattron & Youth Cello Quartet – musical performance
- Let’s Move Missoula – backyard obstacle course
- Mismo Gymnastics – Gymnastics obstacle course
- Missoula Breastfeeding Coalition – Baby comfort station – breastfeeding and diaper area
- Missoula Irish Dancers – Irish dancing performance
- Missoula Pediatric Dentistry – free toothbrushes, floss & toothpaste plus games and prizes!
- Missoula Police Department – Police info and brochures
- Missoula Youth Rugby – rugby practice and tossing at targets
- Salamanders – music headliner
- Smokejumper Visitor Center – matchstick forest interactive fire science lesson
- Sportsman’s Warehouse – Fly casting
- The Clay Studio of Missoula – a fun clay activity
- The Flagship Program – bubble making station
- Tobacco Free Missoula County – Tobacco education and spin the wheel
- A Carousel for Missoula – Donates a portion of proceeds to Share The Fun Youth Recreation Grants
- Missoula Downtown Association – Donates Caras Park Pavilion for Kidsfest