Playdate provides a place for all to play

YAKIMA — Jesus Arriaga wasn't afraid of the snakes.

In fact, the 10-year-old from the Tri-Cities says the slinky reptiles -- a couple of Burmese pythons as well as a California kingsnake -- were "cool," his favorite thing about the first-ever Playdate Family Expo.

The event, sponsored by the Yakima Herald-Republic's Playdate Magazine and Yakima Regional Medical and Cardiac Center, ran from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday in the Yakima Convention Center.

More than 2,500 people attended the kid-friendly fair, which featured 67 booths with children's games, prizes, entertainment, information and resources.

"We didn't really know what to expect, being a first-time event," said Playdate Magazine coordinator Sara Bristol, who went to the bank twice in the first hour to get more $1 bills for making change.

"I'm glad we were able to put it on, and I'm glad so many people showed up," she said. "I'm thinking we're definitely doing this again next year."

At the door, children received a treasure map that could be stamped at each booth they visited. By noon, there was a long line for facepainting and a crowd around a couple clowns making balloon animals.

Other activities included a putting green, beanbag toss, story time, puppet show, magic show and cake-decorating demonstration.

The snakes, as well as a tarantula, -- which passers-by could handle and hold -- were part of the La Salle High School booth, where 16-year-old Felisa Gonzalez, a sophomore, was helping spread the word about the Catholic school and its science program.

"I think it's a great event," she said. "There's a lot of stuff here people can look at."

Other exhibitors included preschools, private schools, nonprofits, businesses and moms' groups. The Yakima Bears brought a batting cage. The Central Washington Agricultural Museum brought antique farm equipment. Mad Science gave kids containers of slime to take home.

"I was worried spring break was going to affect the turnout," said Erin Malland, who was volunteering at the Cool Mom booth, where kids could plant sunflower and marigold seeds. "But it's great. I'm so excited for the community, for Playdate, for the paper. This has been an incredible way to come together and share ideas."

Thirty-five-year-old Alejandrina Arriaga, who attended the expo with her five children and two nephews -- ages 7 to 18 -- said she was glad she came. "We had a lot of fun."

And that, said Lisa Kime, the newspaper's advertising operations manager, is "just what we wanted."