Hundreds gathered to partake in the fifth annual KEDT Kids Festival, with guest appearances by Daniel Tiger, Clifford the Big Red Dog and Del Mar’s very own Valdar the Viking.
“When we moved into the building in 2015, we wanted to do something for the community and Kids Fest was our grand opening,” said Jesenia McQueen the business manager for KEDT.
Since that first event the KEDT Kids Festival has become a annually reoccurring event, held at the Del Mar College Center for Economic Development.
“The event that the staff enjoy the most is Kids Fest, and we do a lot of events,” McQueen said.
Unfortunately, the pandemic resulted in Kids Fest needing to be canceled for two years, making the 2023 event its return for the community.
The festival featured entertainment, educational activities and services provided by Del Mar College and other local organizations across the Costal Bend. Kids of all ages were able to adopt stuffed animals from Corpus Christi Animal Services, get free flowers and plant seeds from Gill Garden Center and Landscape Co. or board one of the B’s new buses and play with the horn. The Texas Zoo also had a live animal show about exotic pets rescued from local college students unable to care for them.
Parents also had a variety of services available to them, including getting vaccinations for their children, applying for local WIC or getting help from the Costal Bend Food Bank.
“So many organizations come out and they have great messages for the community and the families,” McQueen said.
The ability for attendees to learn what these community organizations can offer can be life changing.
DMC was also present providing information on its public safety programs, with ambulances, fire trucks and various forms of safety equipment to show the public. Kids Fest attendees could learn about the various degrees, certifications and programs that Del Mar offers.