By Amy Dulebohn, Herald Mail Media
Babypalooza is coming to Bester Elementary School on Saturday, Oct. 22, and Kerry Fair said she anticipates the event will be a success.
“This is the first one we’ve had, but we’re hoping to make it an annual event,” she said.
Fair is program manager for Bester Community of Hope, a relatively new initiative based at San Mar that works on positive outcomes for children and families in the Bester Elementary School neighborhood.
Admission and all activities are free, including 300 lunches donated by Chick-fil-A. A slew of vendors will be on hand with information on topics such as safe sleeping, secondhand smoke, early literacy skills, swimming lessons, shaken-baby prevention, pediatric dental and overall health, and massage.
To keep the mood light, local artists will provide prenatal belly painting for expectant moms, and a photographer will offer free family photographs.
Those who attend also can register for door prizes, including a formula giveaway sponsored by Shop ‘n Save. Other door prizes include a portable playpen courtesy of Rural Children’s Fund; birthday party package donated by Discovery Station; a basket and massage donated by Bodyworks Massage Center; and a Mommy and Me swim time provided by Kids First Swim.
Fair said Babypalooza events are popular in other areas. She said many community baby showers have been held in the area, but not a lot of people attended. She said she hopes Babypalooza will attract more families.
“We would love to see 500 people come through the door on Saturday,” she said. “We just keep getting more and more things to give away. It’s going to be amazing.”
If you go …
WHAT: Babypalooza
WHEN: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22
WHERE: Bester Elementary School, 385 Mill St., Hagerstown
COST: Admission and all activities are free
CONTACT: Call 240-513-6370 or go to www.facebook.com/besterhope
MORE: 300 free lunches are available, as well as family activities, photos, door prizes and other giveaways
