This year’s Young At Heart Festival, presented by Trickie Enterprises, highlights Kids Day on Sunday May 24, 2009, featuring Chicago musician Jim Gill and Rockford musician Mr. Steve.

Jim Gill will perform an “active play” family concert from 1:30 to 2:15 p.m. and from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., Mr. Steve will entertain with family-friendly songs and silly fun. Plus, kids can ride all day with a special unlimited ride wristband for $15 (noon to 5pm). Also, don’t miss Billy the Balloon Guy from noon to 5:00 p.m. for tons of silly balloon-fun!

The performance by Gill and Mr. Steve are part of the annual Young At Heart Festival currently in its 38th year.  The festival features carnival rides by Skinner Amusements, a fishing derby, the Young at heart pageant, a fireworks spectacular, a parade, a wide variety of food, beer garden, and crowd-pleasing music. Entrance to the festival costs $6 in advance and $8 at the door for a button which is valid for all 4 days (Friday, May 22, to Monday, May 25), and kids 8 and under are free! Family Fun Packs – 4 buttons and 4 coupons good for $2 off ride wristbands – also are available for $24 (a $32 value and available only at Loves Park City Hall, Village of Machesney Park and Grays IGA in Loves Park).

This year, you can also become a fan of Young At Heart Festival on Facebook and follow it on Twitter to share your experiences and to get updates, event information, and more fun stuff. For more information, visit www.youngatheartfestival.com or call the Parks Chamber at 815.633.3999.

About Jim Gill
In concert, Gill bangs out energetic rhythms on his banjo while everyone sings, claps, jumps, dances and even sneezes along. The concert is filled with songs from Gill’s numerous award-winning recordings for young children.  In a concert with Gill, it is not just the music that is important, but the active participation and interaction between children and caring adults that each song promotes. 

Although he is best known for his silly recordings and books for young children, Gill is, by training, a child development specialist with 20 years of experience working with young children and families. According to Gill, “During the best concerts, the children are watching and playing along with the adults in the audience as much as they are watching me. I lead the games, but the children are most likely to remember the joy of their family play.”  In other words, what makes the concert so memorable is the play that the children and adults experience together. It is truly a concert of play. . . simple in concept and rich in spirit. 

Gill has spent more than 20 years directing weekly programs in music play for families with children with special needs in the Chicago area.  His unique approach of combining word play and movement opportunities into songs were developed through this work.  He now presents “concerts of music and play” to children and families throughout the country at theaters, libraries and schools.  Gill also speaks to early childhood educators and children’s librarians about the many benefits of play in young children’s lives.

Gill has produced five recordings of music play activities that have received awards from both the American Library Association and the Parents’ Choice Foundation.  He most recently created a program of “Symphonic Music Play,” new works for children accompanied by a full symphony orchestra.  Jim is the author of May There Always Be Sunshine, a picture book based on a traditional song he has sung with tens of thousands of children.  The book received the 2002 Book Award from the Philadelphia Children’s Museum. See, hear and read more at www.jimgill.com.

About Mr. Steve
Playing from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., Mr. Steve has a funny grin, a contagious laugh, and an impish childlike enthusiasm. Steve Lundquist is not your run-of-the-mill children’s entertainer. In his 20 years of performing he has proven that he is the consummate children’s entertainer. He is an accomplished recording artist with two children's tapes (Elephants & Kangaroos and Wonderful Things I Remember) to his credit. Visit www.mrstevefun.com for more information.

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About Young at Heart  This family-friendly event, currently in its 38th year, features carnival rides, a fishing derby, the Young at Heart pageant, parade, and fireworks spectacular, a wide variety of food, a beer garden, and great music including a Kid’s Day featuring Jim Gill and Mr. Steve. This year, headlining bands Meet the Beetles, Frontiers, Hairbanger’s Ball, and Clutch Cargo will provide entertainment. You can now become a fan of Young At Heart Festival on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to share your experiences and to get updates, event information, and more fun stuff. For more information, visit www.youngatheartfestival.com or call the Parks Chamber at 815.633.3999.