Kids Day, slated for today, postponed

PRABODY – With Tropical Storm Hanna working her way through the North Shore Saturday, the city has decided to postpone its 16th annual Kids Day.The event was scheduled to take place at the Leather City Common today from 1-4 p.m., but Dianne Marchese of Mayor Michael Bonfanti’s office doesn’t expect the field to be dry enough, if dry at all.The new date is Saturday, Sept. 20 with a rain date of Sunday, Sept. 21.Kids Day is coordinated as part with the city’s International Festival. It’s a family event with a number of activities and entertainment to please children of all ages. The day will feature arts and crafts, cookie decorating, costumed characters, face painting and moon bouncing.The day will start at the spinning hands of DJ Scott Colameta, who hopes to get people dancing and playing games.John Kelleher, a.k.a., Johnny the K, a nationally known musician, teacher and children’s entertainer, will present his interactive and educational show incorporating a 12-string guitar, costume hats, masks, and disguises, all in an effort to convey his message to children they can each make a difference.New to Kids Day is 7-year-old jazz drummer Gabe Goldman. Goldman started taking drum lessons at Donn Carr’s School of Music in Peabody at the age of four. He plays regularly with Donn Carr’s Jazz Band and Donn Carr’s Big Band at the Peter A. Torigian Community Life Center.Bruce McCory’s Martial Arts students will end the day with a special performance of the traditional Chinese Lion Dance, board breaking, and a demonstration of Chinese weaponry.Hot dogs, penny candy, pretzels, cotton candy and slush will be available for a small fee. Peabody state Sen. Fred Berry, Maple Leaf Meat Products, North Shore Bank and Tedeschi Foods will sponsor the day’s activities and entertainment, allowing the public to attend and participate free.