Phoenix Celebrates Childhood at Dia De Los Ninos at Hance Park

The Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department’s Latino Institute will celebrate the joys and wonders of childhood on April 25th at the Dia De Los Ninos Children’s Festival.

This celebration is set for Margaret T. Hance Park, 1202 N. 3rd St., from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

This annual festival is sponsored by the City of Phoenix, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, Arizona Public Service, Telemundo TV, PBS Eight, Prensa Hispana, Watermill Express, Bookmans Entertainment Exchange and Bear Essential News. The 2014 signature event will feature Parks and Recreation, Education, Environmental, Arts and Culture, and Youth Club villages. Guest Exhibitors will present hands on activities in arts, interactive computer labs by PBS, Kids IDs, Phoenix Plays Sports activities, science projects, recycling arts and much more.

Guest Entertainment includes a special presentation by PBS Kids Show Superstar “Daniel the Tiger”, Ronald McDonald, African Drums, Axe Capoeira, B-Boy Break Dancers, Moya School, Fiesta Mexicana and a fly over by the Phoenix Police Department helicopter. The Daniel the Tiger performance will be presented at 9 a.m. in the Pulliam Auditorium within the Burton Barr Library, located within Hance Park. The show is free and appropriate for kids ages pre-school through 2nd grade. Reservations for Daniel’s Show can be made by calling at PBS at 602- 496-8888. In addition, “PBS Go Writers Writing Contest” winners will be recognized in a ceremony at the Pulliam Auditorium at 10 a.m. Several mascots will be on hand including Smokey Bear, Baxter from the Arizona Diamondback, the Suns Gorilla, Sharkey from Sea Life Arizona, Big Red from the Arizona Cardinals, Howler from the Coyotes, Buddy Bear from City of Phoenix Aquatics and those from several PBS children’s shows such as Cat in the Hat, Curious George and Maya and Miguel.

Admission is free. More information is available by phone at 602 262-7442 or by visiting the Latino Institute website at www.phoenix.gov/phxlatin.