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Kid's Day at Village lets neighbors mingle

Food, arts and crafts, and entertainment will entertain kids at Carrollwood Village Millennium Gardens on Saturday.

By SHERYL KAY
Published May 1, 2005

CARROLLWOOD - Families can turn their Mother's Day celebration into a whole weekend by attending the second annual Kid's Day at the Village 2005.

More than 40 vendors and business sponsors will line the walkways Saturday at 10 a.m. at the Carrollwood Village Millennium Gardens. The event will offer preteens everything from food, to arts and craft activities, to unique live performances.

Returning sponsors from last year include the Florida Orchestra, bringing dozens of musical instruments for the children to sample; and the Hillsborough County Solid Waste Management department with "Can Do," a robot that resembles a moving garbage can.

"All of these groups understand it's important to show community support, so they're happy to do this," said Maria Hochwarth-Alvarez, president of Alvaworks, the group contracted by the Carrollwood Homeowners Association to coordinate all of the Village's events, including Kid's Day.

Koz-Mo the Clown will be there, along with representatives of Jazzercise and Big Cat Rescue, although no animals will be present.

"This is a great chance to come and find out who your neighbors are," said Bill West, president of the Phase III homeowner association and a father of two. "We all recognize each other from walking our dogs, but we all get so busy that we really don't have the time to get out and meet each other."

Event sponsor Debra Cordell, owner of the FastFrame store at 7889 Gunn Highway, hopes to give her business a little bit of exposure too.

She's offering to mat any child's artwork for free if it is brought to her store a day or more before the event, and display those pieces throughout the park Saturday. Her booth will include hand-drawn outlines of Mother's Day art that the participants can fill in, personalize, mat and then take home.

Last year's event drew about 1,000 participants, and planners expect even more people this year.

"We have a few spots that have minimal shade, so don't forget your suntan lotion," Hochwarth-Alvarez said.

Contact reporter Sheryl Kay at skreporter@hotmail.com

- Kid's Day at the Village 2005 is Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Millennium Garden in Carrollwood Village, northwest corner of South Village and West Village drives. Admission and parking are free. For more information, call Maria Hochwarth-Alvarez at 842-7066.

[Last modified April 30, 2005, 04:00:06]