Face—and more—painting returns to the Family Pride Zone at the Festival in Revercheon Park on Sunday.
DAVID TAFFET | Senior Staff Writer
After a successful return of the Family Pride Zone last year, this year’s space will be bigger with more entertainment.
One addition to the Family Pride Zone is Choo Choo Express, a train that will circle the perimeter of the covered playground area throughout the day.
Puppeteer Dennis Lee will bring Nana Puddin for a show he calls edu-tainment. It’s entertainment with a message.
“Kindness matters,” Lee said. “Words are important.”
Lee said his anti-bullying message is personal because he was the skinny kid with big ears who played with puppets. He puts on more than 400 shows a year and has performed in Central America, Brazil and Canada, but Dallas is home and he’s performed hundreds of shows in schools and churches throughout North Texas.
He said he’s especially looking forward to parents coming over to say they saw him perform when they were kids.
Critterman presents two “safari encounters,” his most popular show that features six or seven facinating small creatures. The shows are at 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. and are geared for children of all ages.
Among the most popular events last year were old fashioned picnic contests — tug of war, sack races, ring toss, soccer goals — and other ativities like rocket stomps, oversized checkers and hula hoops.
Bubble machines, airbrush artists, balloon artists, sno cones, bounce houses and costume characters will keep kids and their parents busy throughout the afternoon. A face painter and glitter tattoo artist will be on site from 1-5 p.m.
Entry to the park is $10, but those under the age of 13 get in free. There’s no additional charge to get in the Family Pride Zone, but organizers said since there will be young children, dress appropriately, and no coolers or alcohol will be allowed.
Chili’s will be serving from its kids menu with 10 percent of sales going to Family Pride Zone. For the second year, Toyota is the presenting sponsor along with Dallas Voice and Rainbow Round Up.
Family Pride Zone opens at noon and remains open until 7 p.m.
This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition September 16, 2016.