Activities for children of all ages will be featured at Lewis University’s mini-campus in downtown Joliet during Kidzfest 2016.
The free family festival offers an opportunity for area children to play, explore, imagine and create. Kidzfest will be held from 10 a.m.to 3 p.m. Aug. 6 on Chicago Street in downtown Joliet.
Lewis University is the main sponsor for Kidzfest 2016, which will include attractions such as the Friendly Farms Petting Zoo, a juggler, and activities and exhibits by other area organizations, including the Joliet Public Library, Rialto Square Theatre, Forest Preserve District of Will County and the Joliet Slammers. Activities are free.
Each child may receive a certificate as he/she enters the Lewis University Kidzfest mini-campus across from the Rialto Square Theatre. The children earn marks on the certificate for each activity that they attend. Those who earn four marks on the certificate will receive an “aviator wings pin.”
Children will have the opportunity to sit in a small airplane and have a free digital photo taken courtesy of Lewis University; test their skills on an unmanned aircraft system simulator with direction from flight students; get free photo IDs taken by students in the Criminal-Social Justice program and the Lewis University Police Department; make an art project with supplies and guidance from the Art & Design Department; solve math problems and play computer games with the Computer and Mathematical Sciences Department; and see a mastodon tooth and other small fossils, and tackle trivia questions from geologist Greg Kientop.
Other activities will allow children to become scientists through chemistry and biology experiments, or step into the shoes of a weather reporter and see what it’s like to be on TV using equipment and assistance from the communications department.
Attendees can improve their athletic skills with tips from student athletes on sports such as men’s and women’s basketball and golf, as well as test their fitness skills against a member of the ROTC.
Additionally, children and adults can get blood pressure and pulse screenings from students and nurses in the College of Nursing and Health Professions. Adults can also receive information on hypertension and diabetes awareness. Several wellness games will focus on nutrition, stress reduction, hand washing, exercise and smoking habits.
Student performers from the Lewis Philip Lynch Theatre will sing songs from Disney musical favorites at 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. at the outdoor stage at Clinton and Chicago streets.
For more information about Kidzfest 2016, visit www.lewisu.edu for further information.