Kidz Expo comes to Chattanooga with celebrity guest, philanthropy
On Saturday April 18, children from all over Tennessee traveled to the Chattanooga Convention Center for the 2015 Kidz Expo. The event took place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and tickets were $7 per person or $25 for a family four-pack.The expo provided children with games, inflatables, entertainment and over 50 interactive vendors.
Attendees are welcomed with lively decorations.
On Saturday April 18, children from all over Tennessee traveled to the Chattanooga Convention Center for the 2015 Kidz Expo. The event took place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and tickets were $7 per person or $25 for a family four-pack.The expo provided children with games, inflatables, entertainment and over 50 interactive vendors.
The entertainment ranged from magic shows to performances from the Chattanooga Theatre and local pageant queens. Each year the expo features a special guest. This year’s guest was the star of Disney Channel’s “Girl Meets World,” Rowan Blanchard. Along with providing entertainment, the expo is a great opportunity for local businesses and philanthropic organizations to effectively reach the community.
The expo’s main sponsor is the Children’s Miracle Network Hospital at Erlanger. Volunteers from the hospital hosted several booths to inform attendees of the services that they offer and how to maintain proper health.
Rebecca Brinkley, the Children’s Miracle Network Hospital director, has worked the event multiple times.
“It’s such a great way for us to showcase to the community all of the services that Children’s Hospital provides,” Brinkley said. “This is just a perfect fit for us. We are always trying to get the word out. This is the perfect scenario; it’ s all about the kids and that’s what we are all about too.”
Another non-profit that was represented at the event was the Hydrocephalus Association. This disease has personally affected Chara McLaughen, the Hydrocephalus Association’s Chattanooga event chair. While she was pregnant, her daughter Ema was diagnosed with Hydrocephalus, which currently has no known cure.
“The biggest thing is that it will increase the awareness,” McLaughen said. “Because we are here, we have put the name out there for people who have probably never heard of it.”
Sisken’s Children’s Institute, United Way’s Project Ready for School and The Ronald McDonald Care Mobile are just a few of the other non-profit organizations that were present.
Check out more information regarding the event, by clicking here.
Edited by Jessica Carr
