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According to event organizer, Sandra DiDomizio, KidApolooza, held Saturday, June 9 in Mammoth Creek Park, was a huge success. An estimated 1,000 people danced, sang, played, read – and half of those people were under the age of 12! Headline sponsors of the event were the Mono County Office of Education and the Inyo County Superintendent of Schools.

Photo: Brandon Russell

Family Day makes comeback after two-year hiatus

After a two-year hiatus, Sandra DiDomizio of Green Fox Events is proud to announce the return of KidApolooza on June 9.

The totally free (Except for food. The food booths cost money.) event features animals, games, hair braiding, hula hoops, a big red fire truck, a bike rodeo (Mammoth Lakes Police will set up a bike obstacle course) and more. In short, it will be a kid’s paradise.

Be sure to look for the giant lawn games, including a Twister board that is the equivalent of six regular Twister games combined!

Jose Luis Orozco, a bilingual children’s performing artist, will again provide musical entertainment. Lava Moon will also play.

DiDomizio said she was first inspired to create the event because in her native Canada, there is a national holiday called “Family Day,” a holiday that even her workaholic father observed.

KidApolooza is Sandra’s local answer to Family Day. As she says, “the event is meant to foster: family togetherness, wellness, literacy, social and environmental responsibility. “

In 2009, the event was sponsored by the Mono County Child Care Council.

This year, the presenting sponsors are the Mono County Office of Education and the Inyo County Superintendent of Schools. The Mono County Child Care Council and Mammoth Hospital are co-sponsors.

As DiDomizio says, the tagline for the event is “Celebrating Kids and Families in the Eastern Sierra.” The tagline was created so as to be broad enough to include all of Inyo and Mono counties, as well as visitors. The goal has always been to make it an annual event and to grow KidApolooza every year.

“It has been pretty easy getting support and participation for this event since its message is so positive and fun,” said DiDomizio. “I hope many families will enjoy the day together at KidApolooza.”