The KidzBeat area presents free interactive activities for kids of all ages. Come out and enjoy!

Marshall Music provides an “instrument petting zoo” Saturday 1-7pm. This year’s teachers for the instrument petting zoo include Jason Strothiede, an electric bass player and songwriter for the popular Michigan band The Hoopties who has long served the Capital Area Blues Society. Next is James “Mocha Man” Waller, a man of many talents, performing on saxophone, keyboard, percussion, vocals and various different horn instruments. Third is the infamous Big Willy, a songwriter and guitarist who’s currently performing with three different bands and has a new CD set to be released. Finally, rounding out the group is Pete Kittle, a bass guitarist. One of his two groups, Uptown Praise Band, just returned from appearing in Nashville for the Christian Music Awards at TBN Studios. These intelligent and passionate musicians are ready to share what they know during this year’s KidzBeat!

Teaching artists from the Broad Art Museum present a drop-in musical instrument workshop. Kids of all ages will learn to create a variety of working instruments from recycled and repurposed materials. Kids and their parents are invited to build a banjo, a drum, or a kazoo! The Broad Art Museum Family Day will take place on Saturday 12-4 pm at the Broad summer annex at 226 East Grand River Avenue (formerly the Chrome Cat).

MICA offers face painting Saturday 1-7pm.

Noodles & Co. offers noodle art activities Friday 5:30-7:30pm and Saturday 1-7pm.

Peep, the enchanting star of WKAR’s Peep and the Big Wide World, will be at the festival near the KidzBeat area on Friday evening from 5:30-7:30 pm and Saturday afternoon 2-5 pm. Peep and the Big Wide World is an animated cartoon that teaches nature and basic science concepts to preschoolers. The program airs on WKAR-TV weekday afternoons at 1:30 pm.

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