Community Corner

Lewis Mini-Campus Comes to Joliet for Kidzfest

Science experiments, health screenings, theatrical performances and more await guests at the Aug. 6 event.

Activities for children of all ages will be featured at the Mini-Campus during Kidzfest 2011, a free family festival for children to play, explore, imagine and create scheduled for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 6 in downtown Joliet.

Each child can receive a certificate as he/she enters the Lewis University Kidzfest Mini-Campus across from the Rialto Square Theatre on East Van Buren Street. The children earn marks on the certificate for each activity that they attend. Those who earn four marks on the certificate will earn an “aviator wings pin.”

Entertaining and educational experiences at Lewis exhibits include opportunities for youngsters to:

Find out what's happening in Romeovillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

  • Sit in a small airplane. Parents may have a free digital photo taken of each child in the plane, courtesy of Lewis University Aviation.
  • Get free photo IDs taken by students in the Lewis criminal/social Justice program.
  • Enjoy video games provided by the computer science department. 
  • Become a scientist through chemistry and biology experiments. Fun includes concoctions that experiment with everyday materials! This year, miniature volcanoes will be featured.
  • See yourself on television by visiting an electronic media van and see how a news program is created by the Lewis communications department.
  • See a mastodon tooth and other small fossils and minerals and talk to a geologist.
  • Get blood pressures and pulse screenings for children and adults from the College of Nursing and Health Professions. Also, adults can undergo blood sugar testing and receive information on hypertension and diabetes awareness. Several wellness games will focus on nutrition, hand washing, exercise and smoking habits.
  • Enjoy student performers from the Lewis Philip Lynch Theatre presenting songs from “Hairspray” at 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. at the outdoor stage. 
  • Learn a lesson in finances from the Lewis College of Business, which plans to offer fun money facts, games and prizes.
  • Choose from designs and get a new look at the Face Painting booth.
  • Enjoy stories about Abraham Lincoln read by future teachers attending the Lewis College of Education. Make crafts with a Lincoln theme as the United States observes the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War in 1861.
  • Improve athletic skills with tips from student athletes on sports including basketball from 10:00-11:25 a.m.; volleyball from 11:30 a.m.-1:15 p.m.; and golf from 1:20 -3:00 p.m.
  • Try on ROTC gear and equipment. Test your physical abilities and explore a Humvee.

“Kidzfest demonstrates the Lewis University mission to promote life-long learning by encouraging children to take advantage of various learning opportunities, to ask questions, to set goals, and to interest them in different fields," said Brother James Gaffney, FSC, president of Lewis University.

Other activities at Kidzfest include dirt and mulch play areas by the Joliet Park District, interactive mad scientist activities by the Joliet Public Library, Freedom Express Bus presented by the Joliet Historical Museum, inflatable play areas provided by Slammers Baseball, photos with Chicaogland Speedway’s mascot Dash, workshops by the Rialto Theatre, child safety seat checks by the Joliet Police Department and “Touch a Truck.”

Find out what's happening in Romeovillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here