Patty Perry Talks About the 23rd Annual KidShow at Great Lakes Mall in Mentor.
The KidShow, held at Great Lakes Mall, is a product of owner and producer Patty Perry of ProMark Enterprises. When creating the event, she wanted a venue that would offer free attendance and plenty of free parking for event guests. We talk to Perry about this event and why it’s been a Mentor staple for the past 23 years.
Q: Tell us about the KidShow two-day event on March 26 and 27 at the Great Lakes Mall in Mentor.
Perry: “The KidShow will be on Saturday, March 26 (11 a.m. to 6 p.m.), and Sunday, March 27 (12 p.m. to -5 p.m.). It is built around anything and everything having to do with kids and family. Its purpose is to get good information into busy parents’ hands and to provide a free opportunity to spend time and have fun with your children.”
Q: What type of activities can families expect this year?
Perry: “The KidShow is filled with exhibitors up and down the mall who will be demonstrating products, providing service information and offering activities at their booth. As the show producer, we also provide activities such as ‘The Kids Counter,’ which is a craft center offering every two hours a different creative craft, photos at the Green Screen, a backyard play area, a balloon twister, roaming costumed characters, Snack Attacks for treats four times a day, impromptu stage trivia for prizes, and continuous stage entertainment.”
Q: Is there anything new happening this year at the KidShow?
Perry: “There will be new stage entertainment so make sure you check out the schedule at kidshowinfo.com
We plan to have a couple new areas, which include the backyard play area, an area to focus on pets, and an author corner, where we have invited local authors to participate by reading their book and being on hand for attendees to get signed purchased copies. There will be a cookie-decorating contest for local bakers and bakeries to enter, with KidShow guests voting on their favorite designer. The Goody Bag giveaway is not new this year, but the red envelope prize is! 250 goody bags will be given out daily to the first 250 families who register at the Registration Center at the top of the Food Court. One lucky bag will hold a red envelope with a certificate for a Bounce Party for your child and 15 of his or her friends at the recently opened Eastlake facility, The Jump Yard. Prior to the KidShow weekend, we are running a contest on Facebook. Like us on Facebook (KidShow) through March 17, and you could be the lucky one to win a KidShow family fun pack! The winner will be picked on March 18 and notified via Facebook.”
Q: Why did you decide to host the KidShow in Mentor?
Perry: “As a young parent at the time with our first child, we began to wonder what products and services were available for our new family. It seemed as though all of the parent resources were scattered, and I got to thinking, ‘Wouldn’t it be wonderful if there was a one-stop shop for information and products related to kids?’ As an event planner, I realized quickly that I could be the solution and create an event. Thus the KidShow was born!”
Q: Why is it important for families in the community to attend the KidShow?
Perry: “The wealth of resources the KidShow provides is unbelievable. The value to attend is the opportunity to talk with company representatives and get your questions answered. The fun we build into the KidShow creates time to spend with your kids at a free event filled with hours of activities and fun.“
Q: Why host the event in the City of Mentor?
Perry: “This is our hometown. We have been members in the residential and business community for the past 33 years. There is no better place than your own backyard to put on an event for the community. The KidShow draws attendees from all over Northeast Ohio, with strong support from Mentor and Lake County residents. It works here in Mentor, and the 23-year longevity of the KidShow is evidence of that.”
