2018 WGBY Kids Fan Day takes place on Saturday, Nov. 3 at the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield and features live kids’ music, animals, screenings, and creativity stations hosted by more than a dozen community organizations. (Photo courtesy WGBY)
SPRINGFIELD — It’s like a comic book convention for PBS KIDS. WGBY Kids Fan Day puts popular educational TV programming front-and-center with a full day of activities at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3.
With over a dozen education-focused community organizations — not to mention live PBS KIDS characters Daniel Tiger, Curious George, and The Cat in the Hat — public television station WGBY is hosting a PBS KIDS fan fair that showcases award-winning educational content and provides a family-friendly day of creativity and fun.
“PBS KIDS is one of the most trusted brands in the country when it comes to education,” explains WGBY General Manager Anthony V. Hayes. “So, it makes sense for WGBY, as the region’s PBS station, to team up with other community and cultural organizations in the region and host a fun, educational event especially for children and families.”
For many community organizations, WGBY Kids Fan Day represents the ideal forum for delivering a fun day of educational, family-friendly activities.
“WGBY Kids Fan Day is tons of fun for families, and it’s an amazing venue for children’s education in the region,” explains Marie Waechter, WGBY’s director of community relations and events. “The activity stations, which are hosted by our education-minded community and cultural partners gives families a chance to share what they love about PBS KIDS. It really is heartwarming. This promises to be a fun day for families in western New England — all in support of quality children’s programming.”
DANIEL TIGER, CURIOUS GEORGE, MUSIC & ICE CREAM
Learning can be fun — that’s the message of WGBY Kids Fan Day. To help bring that message home, WGBY is joined by the likes of PBS Kids favorites Daniel Tiger and Curious George along with The Cat in the Hat (courtesy of The Springfield Museums). Children will be welcomed to meet the characters for a friendly wave, hug, or photo opportunity. A free photo will be provided to any child arriving in costume, dressed as their favorite PBS KIDS character (photos courtesy of Mirror Mirror Interactive Photo Booths).
Learning can also be tasty. A free kid-sized ice cream, courtesy of Friendly’s, will be provided with every ticket.
Families can tap their toes to PBS KIDS-inspired music performed by the UMass Worcester Jazz Ensemble. Then, it’s a “Caribbean Fiesta for Kids” with bilingual artists Jose Gonzalez and Banda Criolla.
PARTNERS & SHOW-THEMED STATIONS
WGBY Kids Fan Day presents over a dozen creativity stations, each themed to a PBS KIDS show and hosted by a local community or cultural partner. For example, the Dinosaur Train station will be hosted by Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association and its Jurassic Roadshow, and the Wild Kratts station by UMass Amherst Laboratory of Medical Zoology.
WGBY’s Community Engagement and Education Department will host an interactive gaming area, complete with tablets children can use to explore various PBS Kids apps.
Along with WGBY and WGBY Kids, other participating organizations include 94.7 WMAS. Cartamundi/Hasbro, Child Learning and Development Lab at Amherst College, Community Music School of Springfield, Friendly’s, Mirror Mirror Interactive Photo Booth, Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, Springfield City Library, Springfield College & Community Arts, Springfield Education Association, Springfield Museums, TEXT 413 Families, UMass Amherst Laboratory of Medical Zoology, UMass Center at Springfield’s The Healthy Development Initiative, The Zoo at Forest Park and Education Center.
CHILDREN’S LITERATURE & PICTURE BOOK ART
The Odyssey Bookshop and R. Michelson Galleries will present a “pop-up bookshop,” showcasing children’s literature and original artwork. See hand-drawn renderings of Arthur by Marc Brown, and explore the stories enjoyed by millions of children worldwide.
Plus! Meet local children’s writer Lisa Yee, author of the DC Super Hero Girls middle grade novel series, Harley Quinn at Super Hero High, and American Girl’s Girl of the Year books.
WGBY Kids Fan Day is sponsored by Baystate Health, Friendly’s, Hood Milk, the Massachusetts Teachers Association, and PeoplesBank. Additional support is provided by the Massachusetts Cultural Council and the Springfield Cultural Council.
For a full list of PBS KIDS show-themed stations and their respective community partner pairings, visit wgby.org/fanday/activities.
TICKETS ONLINE & AT THE DOOR
WGBY Kids Fan Day is a ticketed event, with proceeds supporting children’s educational programming and public television in western New England. Tickets are available now online and will also be available at the door the day of the event.
Three ticket options are available:
- Adult (12 Years and Older) — $10
- Youth (12 Mos. and Under Free) — $5
- Family Member Pass ($130 Value) — $60
The WGBY Member Family Pass includes:
- WGBY Kids Fan Day Admission for 2 Adults and 2 Youth.
- A plush toy of the family’s choice (either Elmo or Clifford the Big Red Dog).
- A WGBY family membership with PrimeTime subscription and PerksConnect savings card.
- One-Year Subscription to WGBY Passport (Extended Access to Stream PBS and WGBY Shows)
Tickets are available at wgby.org/fanday/tickets.
