Feb. 7-8 Weekend Event Offers Fun, Family Educational Activities

Some of public television’s most popular characters will welcome families to downtown Buffalo during the third annual WNED Kid Fest. This engaging, high-energy weekend event takes place in the WNED Studios (next to the Adam’s Mark Hotel) on February 7 (noon - 5 pm) and February 8 (noon - 4 pm). All proceeds benefit WNED-TV, AM, FM and ThinkBright TV.

“We take pride in bringing quality children’s television to our viewing public,” said Donald K. Boswell, WNED’s President and CEO. “Kid Fest extends the programs’ concept of fun learning experiences to a hands-on, face-to-face community celebration. It’s a unique, affordable event geared to our youngest viewers.”

“In 2009, our focus is on science. We’re encouraging kids to explore their environment and satisfy their natural curiosity,” said Event Manager Mindy Takacs. “Kid Fest also will feature activities that get kids excited about reading, music, math and more.”

Highlights include:

• Personal appearances by new PBS star Sid the Science Kid; the mischievous monkey Curious George; the loveable talking dog from Martha Speaks!; the powerful “Super Reader” Super Why; and the irresistible four-year-old Caillou.

• Sid (with his friends from the Buffalo Museum of Science) also will star in his own stage show.

• Other live performances will include Matt James’ Cool Music for Kids; the Literacy Volunteers of Buffalo’s PBS Kids Story Time; Gymboree’s bubble and sing-along time; exotic reptiles with CroZoo and birds of prey with Hawk Creek Wildlife Center.

• ThinkBright’s Raising Readers Activity Zone will feature games, crafts and a free book for each child.

• Kid Vision 2009 will allow guests to “step into” a PBS KIDS program and view themselves on a television screen with PBS characters.

• Computer play stations will feature hands-on fun with two new PBS learning tools: PBS KIDS Island (pbskids.org/read/games) and THE ELECTRIC COMPANY broadband resources.

Each family will receive a free goody bag. The event also will offer raffles, prizes, low-cost snacks, and PBS Kids merchandise for sale.

Advance Kid Fest tickets cost $20 for a Family Four Pass (two adults/two children); $10 for a Family Two Pass (one adult/one child); single tickets (available at the door) cost $9 per adult and $5 per child ages 1-12 (under 1 free). Parking is free.

In addition, a Character Breakfast will take place at the Pearl Street Grill, 76 Pearl St., in downtown Buffalo on Feb. 7 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Young fans can hob nob and dine with the PBS characters as well as Sabretooth and other local mascots. The cost [$20 per adult and $15 per child ages 1-12 (under 1 free)] covers a full buffet breakfast as well as admission to Kid Fest (including all festival attractions) at the nearby WNED Studios.

For tickets and information, call (888) 202-2859 or visit wned.org. Also visit the Web site to download a picture for the Sid the Science Kid coloring contest.

“Because of their ability to teach through engaging content, PBS KIDS’ programs consistently earn the endorsement of parents, children, industry leaders and educators,” said Sylvia Bennett, WNED’s Vice President of Development. “Please join this wonderful celebration and experience – live – the excitement of Public Television’s best children’s characters.”

WNED Kid Fest 2009 is a joint community effort supported by businesses and nonprofit organizations involved with educational experiences for young children and family entertainment. It is sponsored by the Buffalo Museum of Science, Tifft Nature Preserve, Buffalo’s Elmwood Franklin School and The Park School; EduKids early childhood centers; and the Explore & More children’s museum in East Aurora. Community Partners include the Pearl Street Grill, Barnes & Noble Booksellers and Gymboree. Western New York Family Magazine is the event’s media partner.

Fun Learning Every Day
The excitement of Kid Fest continues each day on the air with quality children’s programming. Sid the Science Kid airs weekdays at 8:30 a.m. on WNED-TV; and weekdays at 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. and Saturdays at 8:30 a.m. on ThinkBright TV.* Super Why! airs weekdays at 9 a.m. on WNED-TV; and weekdays at 11 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 9 a.m. on ThinkBright TV.* Martha speaks! airs weekdays at noon on WNED-TV; and weekdays at 9:30 am and 6:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 5 p.m. on ThinkBright TV.* CAILLOU airs weekdays at 7 a.m. on WNED-TV and at 9 a.m. on ThinkBright TV.* Curious George airs weekdays at 8 a.m. on WNED-TV; and weekdays at 10 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays at 8 a.m. and Sundays at 6 p.m. on ThinkBright TV.*

*ThinkBright airs on Time Warner 21/Digital 17.3.

Through WNED-TV, ThinkBright TV, Classical 94.5/WNED-FM and WNED-AM 970 The Information Station, the member-supported Western New York Public Broadcasting Association provides high quality programming and services that enlighten, inspire, entertain and educate our communities.

- WNED Kid Fest 2009 Stage Show Schedule follows -

2009 Stage Show Schedule

Saturday, February 7th

11:00am- Bubble & Sing along time with Gymboree
11:30am- Sid the Science Kid on Stage, presented by the Buffalo Museum of Science
12pm- Matt James: Cool Music for Kids
12:30pm- Bubble & Sing along time with Gymboree
1pm- Sid the Science Kid on Stage, presented by the Buffalo Museum of Science
1:30pm- PBS Kids Storytime with Literacy Volunteers of Buffalo
2pm- Hawk Creek
2:30pm- Sid the Science Kid on Stage, presented by the Buffalo Museum of Science
3pm- Hawk Creek
3:45pm- Classic Tunes for Kids with The Headers

Sunday, February 8th

12:30pm- Master Chong’s Tae Kwon Do
1pm- Sid the Science Kid on Stage, presented by the Buffalo Museum of Science
1:30pm- PBS Kids Storytime with Literacy Volunteers of Buffalo
2pm- CroZoo
2:30pm- Sid the Science Kid on Stage, presented by the Buffalo Museum of Science
3pm- Bubble & Sing along time with Gymboree