Event brings families of young children together

Sisters kids can explore their creativity and have a good time at the Sisters Rhythm and Rhyme Festival for Young Children on Saturday, June 18, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Sisters Elementary School field.

The event is sponsored by Central Oregon Parent Network, Together For Children and the Sisters Early Childhood Community Resource Team.

Young families in Sisters indicated they are looking for more opportunities to meet and interact with other families with young children, according to a sampling survey conducted at the Day of the Child/El Dia del Niño Activities and Resource Fair on April 16.

Rebecca French, of Bald Eagle Music, and Jean Nave, local author of the "Harry and Lola" series of children's books, are working together to put on a show that will include reading and creating rhymes and music with lots of rhythm. The program will be highly interactive, with lots of movement and fun.

The Hispanic Coalition of Sisters and Shirley McBride, the "Puppet Lady" will also participate in the rhythm and rhyme show.

Child-centered agencies will participate, providing activities for the children around the theme of Rhythm and Rhyme. They will also offer resource information for the parents.

At 10:30 a.m. there will be a 25-minute show with Rebecca French, Jean Nave, Shirley McBride and Rossy Gomez-Pullig. A second show will begin at about 11:15 a.m. Before, between and after the shows, families can mingle around the booths and gather information while their kids participate in activities.

Families are encouraged to bring blankets for sitting on during the shows. To participate as a provider, contact Linda Gilpin at [email protected] or at 541-280-9686.