KidApolooza: Blame Canada!
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.”
Interesting article, but… I was around back in 09 when the event was first created by two Mono County Childcare Planning Council members and DiDomizio had zero to do with that. She was hired only as a coordinator after the event had already been conceptualized. Not sure if she was misquoted here, but if not, then I find it somewhat troubling that she is taking credit under false pretenses.
Grover – although i appreciate The Sheet’s attention to this event, my conversation with Ted did not revolve around who’s idea the event was 3 years ago. Perhaps it was an assumption on his part that it was my idea because of my current involvement with it. We talked about the present and what great messaging and potential the event currently has. For that, and for the exposure, i am very grateful to The Sheet.
Yes – the concept of a KidApolooza event was originally Ms. Adler’s and Ms. Grafius’, and i was hired in 2009 as the coordinator. In 2010, the Mono County ChildCare Council however, granted me and my company rights to the name and control of its production. That being said, this event would never take place without the financial support of its sponsors – Ms.Adler and the Mono County Office of Education being the primary and most generous one…to no surprise.
I believe we share the hope that KidApolooza will be a unifying event in our community when it most needs a pick-me-up, and that families and kids will use it as an opportunity to bond, grow, learn, and play.
Thank you for your comment and concern. I hope I clarified things.
Sandra
I would like to give a big shout out to Sandra DiDomizio and Green Fox Events! While having the idea for a project is an important first start, it is a long way from the dedication, time and effort it takes to move it from and idea to an event. Thank you Sandra for all of your hard work turning this great idea into a reality for all the families in the Mammoth Lakes area!!