New York State Office of General Services Commissioner RoAnn M. Destito today announced the 11th annual Hannaford Kidz Expo will take place on Saturday, March 5 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free for this event, which attracts thousands of children and parents to the Empire State Plaza.
“The Hannaford Kidz Expo is a day jam-packed with entertaining, educational, and healthy activities for kids of all ages, but the best thing about this event is seeing big smiles on so many children’s faces each year,” Commissioner Destito said. “I am happy that we are able to partner with Hannaford Supermarkets and all of our sponsors to offer this free, family event.”
“Hannaford Supermarkets is proud to once again partner with the New York State Office of General Services to make possible a family-oriented event that encourages kids to enjoy learning, eat healthy and stay active,” said Hannaford Supermarkets Community Relations Specialist Brian Fabre. “We look forward to welcoming families to the Empire State Plaza to enjoy a fun-filled day of learning and exploration.”
Kids will find activities galore – many of them focusing on a healthy and active lifestyle. There will be meet and greets with children’s characters, theater performances, bounce rides, arts and crafts, mini-golf, and even reptiles. Parents will find information from all of their favorite vendors in one convenient location: summer camps, health care, sports clubs, photographers, schools, dance studios, and amusement parks, just to name a few. Also, a variety of food options will be available.
Exciting Activities for All Ages
Among the new and featured attractions for the 2016 Hannaford Kidz Expo are:
“The Berenstain Bears LIVE! In Family Matters the Musical.” This performance is an adaptation of three of The Berenstain Bears’ most beloved books: “The Berenstain Bears Learn About Strangers,” “The Berenstain Bears and Too Much Junk Food,” and “The Berenstain Bears’ Trouble at School.” Young cubs of all ages will learn important life lessons during this live musical production that is filled with fun songs and dancing. In The Egg’s Swyer Theater with showtimes at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., and meet and greets following the 1 and 3 p.m. shows.
Meet and Greets with Marvel’s Super Heroes presented by f.y.e. The stars of last year’s Hannaford Kidz Expo, Spider-Man, Captain America, Iron Man, and The Hulk, will be back to entertain and pose for pictures with your kids in Meeting Room 1. Don’t forget to bring your camera. Captain America, 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.; The Hulk, 10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m.; Spider-Man, 2 p.m., 3 p.m., and 4 p.m.; and Iron Man, 2:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., and 4:30 p.m.
The Theatre Institute at Sage’s touring production of “The Stinky Cheese Man.” Jack the narrator is going to take you on a journey to see some of the zaniest fairy tales ever. From Chicken Licken who has an unfortunate encounter with a table of contents to a Stinky Cheese Man who smells so bad that no one wants to eat him. These tales have familiar characters meeting some not-so-familiar happily ever afters. In Meeting Room 6 with showtimes at noon and 2 p.m.
Hannaford Healthy Kidz Room. Kids can sport their skills in the Hannaford Healthy Kidz Room as they work their way through four fun activity stations designed to get them up and moving. Children of all ages and abilities are welcome to join the fun in Meeting Rooms 3-4.
Yoga for Families with Janine. Join Janine Murphy for one of her 15-minute classes. There is prenatal yoga to help moms create flexibility and strength for the changes of pregnancy; family yoga that will allow families to come together and learn ways to enjoy movement, be together and relax; and yoga for kids ages 7 to 10 that promotes confidence, concentration and relaxation through movement, breathing techniques, and fun. Classes will be held in Meeting Room 6 with prenatal yoga at 11 a.m., family yoga at 1 p.m., and yoga for kids at 3 p.m.
Also, the Empire “Skate” Plaza Ice Rink will be open for free skating from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., weather permitting, and skate rentals are available.
Paid visitor parking will be available in the V-lot under the Empire State Plaza for $5, and free parking will be available in the East Garage on Philip Street off Madison Avenue.
More information about this year’s Hannaford Kidz Expo and other events at the Empire State Plaza, visit us online at www.empirestateplaza.org or Empire State Plaza Events on Facebook, follow us on Twitter @PlazaEvents, or call the OGS Convention & Cultural Events Office at (518) 474-4759.
In addition to Hannaford Supermarkets, sponsors include: NY’s 529 College Savings Program, NYSUT, SEFCU, f.y.e., Austin’s School of Spa Technology, Sunmark Federal Credit Union, Albany JCC, Towneplace Suites – Albany Medical Center, Capital District Parent Pages, Times Union, Albany.com, AllOverAlbany.com, 107.7 WGNA, and Hot 99.1.