THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, March 28, 1995 TAG: 9503280050
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E2 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Short : 37 lines
THE KICKOFF EVENT for Child Abuse Prevention Month promises fun activities for kids, while raising money for a serious cause.
The Fundango Festival will be held 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at Oceana Naval Air Station. Admission is $5 per person for ages 2 through adult.
The festival will include Disney's Parachute Express, a musical trio that performs on the Disney Channel and Nickelodeon, along with Barbara Jean and Her Band of Gold, the Bay Youth Orchestra and members of a summer arts work-shop.
Costume characters Rip-Tide, Bino the Bear, Festerfrog, SPSA-Roo and Geddy the Gecko will also appear.
The Spectrum Puppets, which educate children about abuse and encourage victims to talk to adults who can help, will also be on hand. Their regular show will not be presented because the ``safety net,'' trained people in whom children can confide, will not be there. But the puppets will entertain throughout the day and oversee the drawing for door prizes, including a Disney World trip, a mountain bike and a toy store gift certificate.
More than 20 organizations and government agencies ranging from Seton House to Virginia Beach Social Services to Optimist International and the SPCA will have exhibit booths and displays.
Included will be a police helicopter, a ``Crimebusters'' car, a Navy F-14 and a frogman's boat.
Seton House, a residential shelter for runaways and teens in crisis, is seeking sponsors for items to be distributed at the festival, including T-shirts, hats, coloring books, Frisbees and bookmarks. For information on sponsorship, contact Kathy Jeffries at 498-4673. by CNB