The 13th Annual Festival Of Children
A month-long event entertaining families and benefiting children’s charities
Festival of Children Foundation is a nonprofit organization with a mission to improve the lives of children by strengthening the charities that serve them. Sandy Segerstrom Daniels, a leading business professional and children’s advocate, saw an opportunity to increase the effectiveness of the work of children’s charities by bringing them together to collaborate. It was this vision that inspired Sandy to found the Festival of Children Foundation in 2003.
16 amazing structures made entirely out of canned food will be on display during Festival of Children at South Coast Plaza.
You might say that the Festival of Children serves those who serve. They do so by raising awareness and providing financial support, but also by strengthening the network of children’s charities by encouraging collaboration and making connections – and they celebrate those connections every year at the Festival of Children annual event held at South Coast Plaza.
Every weekend this month, families can participate in more than 100 events and learn about child-focused charitable groups that are doing great work in the community. Activities include arts and crafts, singing and dance performances, and more. Visitors can also check out giant fantasy structures made entirely out of canned foods. This September is special because it is National Child Awareness Month (NCAM). NCAM is an effort led by Festival of Children Foundation to focus the attention of our nation on the most critical issues facing children today.
Festival Of Children Highlights
Coffee, Tea, Mommy & Me
September 5, 12, 19 & 26 • 11AM @ Carousel Court
Attention moms and tots! At this interactive event you can have fun together, get crafty, and learn from CHOC Hospital community educators. Every Friday features a different child wellness issue followed by an arts and crafts activity. Refreshments provided by Corner Bakery.
September 5 – Water Safety
September 12 – Healthy Eating/Gymboree Play & Music
September 19 – Child Passenger Safety
September 26 – Home Safety
Tickled Pink Face Painting
Saturdays and Sundays • Noon – 4pm @ Carousel Court
The ever popular Tickled Pink professional face painters are back, transforming faces using only FDA approved, water-based face paints. Fun for the young and young at heart!
South Coast Martial Arts training center will perform a dazzling martial arts display featuring exotic music
Back-to-School Fashion Show
September 7 • 11:30am @ Carousel Court
Kids of all ages will model the latest back-to-school trends from South Coast Plaza retailers including BabyGap, Catimini, Disney Store, GapKids, Gymboree, ivivva athletica, Jacadi, Macy’s, Saks Fifth Avenue, Sport Chalet and Uniqlo. Stage design by Pottery Barn.
Arts & Crafts
September 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27 & 28 • Noon – 4pm @ Carousel Court
Bright ideas start with a brightly decorated head. Every Saturday and Sunday in September come decorate a captain, pirate or sailor hat designed by artist Carolyn Gavin as an exclusive for The Land of Nod. Plus: LEGO will host mini-model builds every Saturday from 2–4pm.
WonderGrove Kids Station
September 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27 & 28 • Noon – 4pm
@ Carousel Court
WonderGrove Kids was created to inspire every child to realize his or her full potential before third grade. Animated characters help children prepare for the daily challenges of life inside and outside of school. WonderGrove Kids’ unique Kids Station is a destination, an experience, and a source of inspiration for a new generation of learners.
Canstruction OC
September 6 – 28 throughout South Coast Plaza
16 amazing structures made entirely out of canned food will be on display during Festival of Children at South Coast Plaza. At the conclusion of the Festival, the sculptures are disassembled and over 60,000 canned food items will be delivered to the Orange County Food Bank for distribution to needy families throughout Orange County. This is the seventh year Canstruction OC has been a part of the Festival. To date, over 125 tons of food have been donated through Canstruction OC!
South Coast Martial Arts
September 6 • 1:30pm & 3:30pm @ Jewel Court
Students from the award winning South Coast Martial Arts training center will perform a dazzling martial arts display featuring exotic music, acrobatics and other skills in a unique display of the human spirit. Enjoy a special performance by their elite team who has attracted attention from the likes of Cirque du Soleil, Jackie Chan and Tina Turner ever since their television debut as semi-finalists on America’s Got Talent.
The Happy Hoofers
September 7 • 2pm @ Carousel Court
Celebrate Grandparents Day with The Happy Hoofers, a group of women who entertain with a variety of dance routines to some of the very finest classics of the 30s, 40s and 50s and more. The Happy Hoofers, ages 65 to 87, promise a light hearted and smile producing performance. M
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