It’s a family fun event that’s been building memories for a quarter century. The annual KidShow celebrated its 25th anniversary at Great Lakes Mall last month, an event dedicated to “anything and everything about kids.”
It first started in 1999, and it’s always been free for parents and kids.
Patty Perry, president of ProMark Enterprises and producer of the Annual KidShow, founded the event as a young parent looking for something entertaining for families with younger children.
“I was a parent who, 25 years ago with my first child, began to wonder what products, services and entertainment were available for my new family,” Perry recalls. “It seemed as though all the resources and events were scattered around, so I got to thinking, ‘Wouldn’t it be wonderful if there was a one-stop shop for something related to kids?’ Clearly, we were not the only family wondering what to do with young kids.”
Coupled with her experience as a young parent, Perry was also owner of a company that specializes in events and marketing. She knew she had the makings of a great event. The rest, as they say, is history.
“One of the first tasks when planning an event is to choose a venue,” says Perry. “As a Mentor-based company and resident, my choice was Lake County.”
That meant the City of Mentor and Great Lakes Mall, specifically, where there was plenty of parking.
“This is our hometown,” explains Perry. ‘We have been members of our residential and business community for the past 35 years. There’s no better place than ‘your own backyard’ to put on an event for the community.”
But the event has grown over the years, today attracting attendees from all over Northeast Ohio, along with its strong support from Mentor and Lake County residents.
Throughout the years, the KidShow has provided hours of family fun and plenty of memories. This year was perhaps the KidShow’s best. Attendees were treated to goody bags, baton twirling demonstrations, singing, dancing, clogging demonstrations, karate, magic and more.
“We like to pack our stage with entertainment performed by mostly kids, and that is on purpose,” says Perry. “It provides time for kids and groups to be on stage and, most importantly, it inspires other children who are watching. We want to show them what they, too, can try and do!”
Many of the entertaining groups were veterans of the KidShow, such as Showstoppers School of Baton and Dance.
“I think they have been here pretty close to all 25 years,” adds Perry.
This year saw the return of Dr. U.R. Awesome, a bubble artist and entertainer who actually put kids inside a bubble. Kids also had the opportunity to meet children’s book authors, get their photos snapped against a green screen and meet their favorite costumed characters.
In between staged performances, the KidShow hosted impromptu trivia contests where parents and kids could win prizes. Snack attacks held throughout the day treated people surrounding the stage to cookies, chocolates, munchies and more. In addition to on-site exhibit booths, ProMark created special activity spots to encourage attendees and kids to walk the whole length of the mall.
“For me, the KidShow has become a sense of pride,” adds Perry. “To think that an event started 25 years ago is still relevant today — that people still look forward to — simply warms my heart.”
Look for next year’s KidShow at Great Lakes Mall, which should be the start of the next quarter of a century of building family memories.
