WHAT: "Obama-rama: A Kids' Convention that's Anything but Conventional" -- a fully kid-friendly political event!
FREE event that's a combination carnival and kids' political convention, featuring performance by Shana Banana (award-winning singer/songwriter), PLUS games, crafts, kid-focused political activities, door prizes, an update provided by the local Obama campaign office, and more.
In the words of Shana Banana, "We're going bananas for Obama!"
WHEN: Saturday, September 6, 10 a.m to 12 noon, rain or shine
WHERE: Lightin' Salvage Enterprises at Satchel's Pizza; 1800 NE 23rd Ave., Gainesville
RSVP at <A href="http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/44djk">Obama-rama Kids' Convention</A>
WHO: Organized by "Gainesville Mamas & Papas for Obama", a group of local moms including Eliana Bardi, Carol Church, Leah Cohen, Dahvi Fradkin, Shana Smith, and Marnie Wiss
CONTACT: Marnie Wiss, 352-275-6381; marniewiss@gmail.com.
GAINESVILLE FAMILIES INVITED TO AN UNCONVENTIONAL CONVENTION
Not able to make it to Denver this week for the big event? No problem! Just 10 days after Barack Obama accepts the Democratic Party nomination at Invesco Field at Mile High Stadium, families right here in Gainesville will have the chance to participate in a celebration of their own. The "Obama-rama: A Kids' Convention that's Anything but Conventional" is a free event scheduled for Saturday, September 6, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at Lightnin' Salvage behind Satchel's Pizza. It will feature entertainment by nationally known children's entertainer Shana Banana, crafts made from recycled materials, carnival games and other activities, door prizes donated by local businesses, snacks, a kids' parade, and more.
All the activities will have a political or patriotic theme, from the creation of a kids' platform where kids of all ages will be invited to express what they think the next president should do to make the world a better place, to Obama-related crafts and games like "Sign Me Up," where kids will create their own yard signs out of recycled milk cartons, and the "Obama Bowl-a-rama," where they will show off their bowling skills. A representative from the local Obama/Biden campaign office will also be on hand to fill families in on the latest happenings with the campaign and opportunities to get involved. Campaign yard signs, buttons, stickers, and bumper stickers will be available; and one of the organizers, local artist Dahvi Fradkin, is designing a unique Obama t-shirt for the event.
The Obama-rama is being organized by a small group of moms, most of whom met when their kids-now preschoolers and kindergarteners-were infants. They were motivated to move beyond playgroups, potlucks, and moms' nights out by their frustration over the current state of the country and their excitement over the possibility of an Obama presidency. "Obama represents hope for a better future for our children at a time when hope has been sorely lacking," said organizer Carol Church.
The group first organized "The Future Looks Sweet" back in June--one of more than 700 bake sales put on across the country as part of MoveOn.org's nationwide Hungry for Change bake sale designed to raise money for that organization's efforts to get Obama elected. The bake sale, which was also held at Satchel's Pizza, raised more than $1,000 and attracted more than 50 volunteer bakers and bake-sale staffers.
With the Obama-rama the group aims to raise community awareness more than money. "When you have young kids, it can be difficult to get involved in politics and community action since so many of the events are designed for adult audiences," Church explained. "In the truly grassroots spirit of the Obama campaign, we think of this event as a mega house party for kids and their parents. The parents will have a chance to learn more about the campaign and sign up to volunteer if they wish, while the kids will learn a little about the electoral process and take 'baby steps' toward civic engagement. Most importantly, with Shana Banana at the mic, everyone will have a blast!"
For her part, Shana Smith, aka Shana Banana, said, "I am donating my time and energy to this event because it is my responsibility as a parent and a citizen. I see the Obama-rama as a way to encourage other parents to find their own ways to do the same. Though our children can't yet vote, we can teach them just how much they matter in the framework of our society. We can be great role models for them by actively participating in our communities and working for change when we feel things have gone awry." Smith, an award-winning singer/songwriter and long-time Florida resident, is currently in post- production on a new children's television show entitled "Banana Bread," which is slated to broadcast on PBS in Tampa Bay and the state of Florida in the near future. She has a strong commitment to the environment and to giving kids the best start possible. (For more information, see www.ShanaBanana.com)
The venue for the Obama-rama, Lightnin' Salvage Enterprises at Satchel's Pizza, is part junk museum, part toy store, part waiting lounge for Satchel's Pizza, and part live-music venue. With its playful spirit and its décor comprised entirely of found and recycled objects, it seemed to event organizers to be the perfect spot for the Obama-rama. Owner Satchel Raye agreed: "Up at Satchel's most of us like Obama. We all like kids. We like rhymes. So this event seems a good fit." (For more on Satchel's Pizza and Lightnin' Salvage Enterprises, see http://www.satchelspizza.com/)
Obama-rama organizers invite kids in and around Gainesville to grab their parents, grandparents, friends, and neighbors and celebrate the spirit of hope with them at this very unconventional convention. In the words of Shana Banana, "We're going bananas for Obama!" ###
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