More than a thousand will come to November event at Newhall Park

Businesses and non-profit agencies that deal with children, and street performers who would like to share their talents with local families are invited to take part in the first Children’s Literacy & Arts Festival, scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 3, at Newhall Park.

Exhibitors can highlight literacy and arts programs they provide to local children and for-profit businesses can display their services and materials for a nominal fee.

Entertainers are being sought to add a festive atmosphere to the festival, in addition to entertainment on the main stage and in themed tents. Budding artists are invited to display their talents in areas such as magic, balloon animals, juggling, etc., in the open areas of the festival and along pedestrian walkways.
The festival is expected to draw more than 1,000 spectators for a six-hour program of storytelling, crafts, book-related activities, music and performances. The program is designed to demonstrate the value and fun of literacy and encourage the exploration of the arts.

[view:node_ad=5]Festival organizers also are seeking one more event sponsor, to host the activity tent. Smaller donors who simply want to support literacy, the arts or education in general can become an Education Foundation Friend for a donation of $100 to $500.

Current sponsors include Newhall Land, sponsoring the crafts tent; Telesis Credit Union, non-profit area sponsor; Little School of Music, music tent; Borders Books, main stage; and Time Warner, story telling. Media sponsors include The Signal, Magazine of Santa Clarita and KHTS Radio.

The festival is sponsored by the SCV Chamber Education Foundation. Proceeds will support the foundation’s classroom grants to local schools, scholarships to local high school graduates, and new school grants to help the valley’s newest schools meet set-up costs. The foundation gave more than $52,000 in cash and materials through its grant program in 2007.

Prospective exhibitors can obtain more information from Byron Alvarado at  balvaradofinancialadvisor@yahoo.com or street performers can obtain more information from Robin Choppe in the foundation office, (661) 702-6977. Information on the festival itself is available by e-mail at cefliteracyarts@sbcglobal.net.

The Chamber Education Foundation is a 501c non-profit charitable foundation.