Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer
This student of Clan Carthy High School in Kingston gets her face painted by a clown at the Children's Expo 2005 now under way at the National Arena in St. Andrew.
Robert Lalah, Staff Reporter
Keeping the multitudes entertained at the Children's Expo, being held at the National Arena in St. Andrew from May 12 to 15, is no small feat. However, the teachers and children who visited the expo yesterday seemed pleased, and many voiced their approval of how the event was organised.
As jam-packed as it was the day before, the arena was yesterday transformed into a sea of young people. The booths at the expo, which showcased goods and services on offer for children, all seemed to be well supported.
At the Carlong Publishers booth, Bernadene McCalla, marketing representative at the company, said the response from teachers, students and parents had been tremendous. She said she expected more parents to turn out today, as well as Sunday, the final day of the expo. She said the company thought it important to participate in the event, as much of the material Carlong Publishers produces targets youngsters. She also emphasised the importance of reading to the development of young minds.
well organised
Doreen Scarlett, a teacher in relative control of a group of about 35 children from Glowell Preparatory in Portmore, said the expo was well organised. She noted that the children were pleased with the entertainment provided and were reluctant to leave.
Sherana Blake, mother of two, said the expo serves a great purpose. "This year has been a rough one for the kids. So much crime and violence. We really need things like this so that the little ones can relax and just be kids," she said. The smiling ice cream-covered face of her young daughter standing nearby showed agreement with the woman's words.
Tickets for the expo can be bought at the National Arena.
Children under 12 years pay $100 and adults pay $200. The expo will close tomorrow.
