Newport News Parks, Recreation & Tourism will present the twentieth annual Newport News Children's Festival of Friends on Saturday, May 2 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Newport News Park . Children visit eight themed areas featuring over 100 free hands-on activities, rides, entertainment, and food. Bring your camera and get a photo with Marvel Comics' Wolverine. Your favorite children's book characters (Maisy, Amelia Bedelia, Danny's Dinosaur, Little Critter, Wild Thing, Madeline, Stinky Cheese Man, and Spot ) will stroll the festival area throughout the day to meet their fans. Busch Garden's Animal Show will entertain and educate with their animal ambassadors (12:00 noon, 2:30 p.m.).

A day full of activities and entertainment will be offered at eight theme areas:

Fearless Friends - Marvel Comics' Wolverine, law enforcement/public safety displays; Fine Friends - displays and activities from museums and organizations that serve children; Food for Friends- food and beverage sales ($); Funny Friends- children's book characters (Maisy, Amelia Bedelia, Danny's Dinosaur, Little Critter, Wild Thing, Madeline, and Spot ) , Busch Gardens Animal Show; Playful Friends presented by Anthem Healthkeepers Plus - moon bounces, slides, obstacle course, swing ride, and train ride; Wellness for Friends - health and fitness activities; Furry Friends - farm animals, animal organizations, pony rides, and mule cart rides; and Recreation for Friends- free “make and take” crafts, fun games, Newport News Recreation program information, and performances by children from the Newport News Parks, Recreation & Tourism Instructional Classes.

There is a $3.00 parking fee per vehicle. Festival admission and all activities (including all rides) are free. Kids can purchase ($) and color their own festival t-shirts. No pets permitted in the festival area. Newport News Park is located at the corner of Jefferson Avenue and Ft. Eustis Boulevard . From I-64E, take Exit 247 and turn left onto Jefferson Avenue . From I-64W, take Exit 250B and follow the signs to Newport News Park .

For more information, call (757) 926-1400 or visit www.nnparks.com.



2009 Children's Festival of Friends Activities and Entertainment $3.00 per car parking fee, all entertainment and activities are free

Festival Presented by: Newport News Parks , Recreation & Tourism

Festival Corporate Sponsors: Daily Press, Anthem Healthkeepers Plus, Z104, The Point, Busch Gardens Williamsburg , Paramount Builders, Kids' Directory


Fearless Friends

Meet Marvel Comics' Wolverine (10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m., 4 p.m.)

Office of Emergency Management - disaster coloring books and hurricane preparedness

Newport News Sheriff's Office - fingerprinting activity

Newport News Fire Department - Safehouse display with fire safety education

Newport News Neighborhood Watch Coalition - displays and activities geared to crime prevention, youth related issues and neighborhood watch

Newport News Parks – display and information

Newport News Police – display and information



Food for Friends ($)

Food vendors offering a variety “kid friendly” food



Furry Friends

Gum Tree Farm- sheep shearing demonstrations and farm animal exhibit

Newport News Animal Services – display and information

Mule Cart Rides

Precious Purrs and Paws - petting dog and mock adoption, educational handouts

Virginia Living Museum – display, touchable specimens, craft

Virginia Zoo – information and activity



Funny Friends

Strolling children's book characters- Maisy, Amelia Bedelia, Danny's Dinosaur, Little Critter, Wild Thing, Madeline, and Spot )

12-12:30 pm Busch Garden's Animal Show

1-1:30 pm City Arts (Dance)

1:30-2:00 pm Flipateers (Gymnastics)

2:30-3 pm Busch Garden's Animal Show



Playful Friends presented by Anthem HealthKeepers Plus

Moon bounces, slide, swings, train ride



Recreation Friends

Newport News Parks, Recreation & Tourism - Aquatics – information, craft

Newport News Parks, Recreation & Tourism - Instructional - make & take crafts, Instructional Class performances

Newport News Parks, Recreation & Tourism – Active Lifestyles - information

Newport News Parks, Recreation & Tourism – Youth Programs – face painting, crafts, relay games, bubbles

     Wellness Friends

Peninsula Health District – health and dental information

Newport News Healthy Families – display, activity

Office of Human Affairs - Head Start – after school information, healthy snacks, play activities



Fine Friends

Cape Henry R/C Boat Club – fifty boats on display

Chippokes Farm & Forestry Museum – garden and seed program

Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center – information on summer programs, coloring activity

Hampton/Newport News Chapter of NAMI – bean bag toss, puppets, educational materials

Human Relief Organization – toys and games

Junior Woman's Club of Newport News - bake sale goods, information booth

Newport News CASA – face painting, balloons, clown

Newport News Department of Human Services - children's activity with foster care and child safety

Newport News Department of Human Services/Foster Home Office – display

Newport News Public Library System – Bookmobile

Newport News Public Works/Recycling – information, give-a-ways, coloring books

Newport News Sister Cities – Japanese craft

Newport News Waterworks - button making and floating faucet display

Peninsula Fine Arts Center – information and art activity

Peninsula Mommies – information, face painting

Restorer of Broken Walls Counseling Agency – information, give-a-ways

Tidewater Mommies.com-information, games

Tutoring Club – information, flower craft

United Methodist Family Services – bubbles, information on foster care and adoption



Color Your Own Festival T-shirt ($)
Use fabric markers to color the design on the 2009 festival t-shirt