This Just In: A Video Blast from KidFest

Patch just downloaded video from at Mount Diablo High School last weekend.

This includes images from the Memorial Day service with a rendition of "God Bless America" sung by Stephen Foreman, an actor who has appeared with the Diablo Theatre Company in Walnut Creek and is a special education teacher at Ygnacio Valley High.

Enjoy.

Patch also received an enthusiastic email from Jay Bedecarre, the producer of KidFest.

Bedecarre is pumped.

KidFest attendees were asked to donate canned food, and boy did they — three tons worth, Bedecarre said.

There was enthusiasm galore for the Clayton Bikes BMX Stunt Team (see them in the video), Firefighters Local 1230,  some radio stations doing live broadcasts from KidFest and much more.

“It was striking how many people came two or three days to KidFest,” said Bedecarre.

We’re just skimming the surface of what Bedecarre had to write in his email, reprinted in full here:

We just got word that we exceeded 3 tons in canned food donations from our attendees going to the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano. That’s terrific news.

 Little early for next year’s plans.

 We were delighted with many of the new attractions this year. Kid’s Town America was a big hit for our younger kids while Wild About Monkeys had 9 performances and all were standing room only. We had the Clayton Bikes BMX Stunt Team there and always had large crowds for their performances as we established a Tween Action Zone for older end of our young attendees. The Golden State Warriors were at KidFest for the first time and their Dunk Pit was non-stop busy. Samantha Samuels, who handles our main stage entertainment, was excited about so many of her performing groups. As usual our biggest crowds were for Da Island Way dance and music. Firefighters Local 1230 brought out a fire truck along with all the gear firefighters use. They could barely keep up with all the children wanting to climb in the truck, pull on the hoses and try on the gear. AMR had an ambulance there as well for inspection.

 KFOG Radio on Sunday and KSAN The Bone on Monday broadcast live from KidFest. Their on-air personalities Rosalie Howarth (Acoustic Sunrise on KFOG) and Nikki Blakk both drew many admirers. Radio Disney had its Road Crewser on hand Saturday and was mobbed.

 Astound enabled us to have Nick Jr. superstar Dora the Explorer on hand while The Smurfs came, too, in anticipation of their summer movie The Smurfs in 3D. There were no shortage of people having their photos taken all three days with Dora and The Smurfs. We also had some surprise appearances by Strawberry Shortcake.

 The free inflatable bounces, jumpers, crawls and sports games we offer were so busy we added a large new one Sunday and then another large new one on Monday and still the lines never slowed down at any of them.

 We had a free Spin to Win wheel at our Information Booth for Strawberry Shortcake DVDs and Bill’s Ace Hardware gift cards. There were always participants there, too.

 No less busy were the four free kid art booths, which all were manned by students from the 6 high schools of the Mt. Diablo Unified School District along with the HOSA (Hospital Occupations Students of America) from John Muir Concord, which did the balloon art.  We had to go shopping Sunday and Monday mornings to restock arts supplies since they were so popular.

 We redesigned our Food Court this year to universal approval from our food vendors and patrons alike. More than one vendor said it was their best KidFest in 22 years. We also modified our booth exhibitor layout to get it a little closer to the stage and that was well received. Another participant called yesterday to say, “I just told my wife, ‘You really know how to throw a party!’ ”

 Our attendance was up on each of the 3 days compared to last year, our first at Mt. Diablo High School after so many years in Todos Santos Plaza (All but one of the first 20 KidFest’s in the plaza). The biggest increased in attendance was on Sunday, which was a beautiful day. Saturday we got rain at 4:30 and Monday was overcast until early afternoon. I don’t have any of the final figures as to attendance, nor what proceeds we will be able to donate to the United Mt. Diablo Athletic Foundation and HOSA as our beneficiaries. Last year we gave over $20,000 to the charities. It was striking how many people came 2 or 3 days to KidFest.

 So many local businesses stepped up to help the event. Astound, Contra Costa Times, Concord Patch, Claycord.com, Bill’s Ace Hardware, Dolan’s Lumber, Concord Disposal Service, American Medical Response, Conco Companies, Parents’ Press, city of Concord along with the aforementioned Radio Disney, KFOG, The Bone and Nickelodeon. Concord Disposal has been a sponsor every one of KidFest’s 22 years.

 We’re already looking forward to May 26-28, 2012, for the 23rd annual Bay Area KidFest. Before then, though, we’re working hard for our second annual Walnut Creek FamilyFest, which is moving to the Labor Day Weekend Sept. 3-5 at Heather Farm Park. Finally, I want to thank my staff who work tirelessly to make KidFest the successful family event it is. Many have been involved with KidFest for one or two decades and their children are now an integral part of the operation as well.

 Jay Bedecarre
Bay Area Festivals, Inc.

Download the movie