From downtown's busiest streets to the space in front of the university's oldest building, State College became a haven for youngsters and the perfect photo opportunity for proud parents.
Families and student groups of all shapes and sizes were found milling around in various forms of activity throughout the day Wednesday at the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts -- from animal demonstrations to face painting to getting cooled off by swinging water buckets.
Jennifer DiLiscia said Children's Day was a great opportunity for her daughter to meet other kids and take part in science, art and music activities. DiLiscia came to the festival with her own parents, who attend Arts Fest every year.
"We'll be taking a thousand pictures as she tries all the different things," Suzan Katko, DiLiscia's mother, said about her granddaughter, Rori.
The Shaver's Creek Environmental Center demonstrations with live snakes and turtles were a big attraction on the Old Main lawn.
Andy Adams, an employee with the center, said kids loved his demonstrations, especially how he would build up suspense by simply talking about snakes, and then surprise the audience by actually producing one of the demonstrator's biggest serpents.
"It's usually jaw dropping for kids," he said.
A returning attraction that amused children on Allen Street was the platform with buckets that dumped water on kids as they ran through screaming.
Maggie Mueller, of State College, stood soaked by the edge of the platform with her two little girls, who were equally drenched by her side.
"They wanted me to go through and hold their hands, and I thought I could go through without getting wet," she said. "I was wrong."
Food vendors further up Allen Street sold chicken-on-a-stick, smoothies and other delights to hungry kids and parents. Other children were also selling jewelry, clothes, purses and other various commodities in their booths, which lined the downtown streets.
Kapeka Galazia (senior-human development and family studies) said many of her campers from the State College YMCA purchased clay figurines of animals and sparkling hair bows from these booths.
"They're just upset that they're not allowed to buy weapons," Shana Nissenbaum, another camp counselor said, referring to carved wooden swords sold at the festival.
The group from the YMCA sat on the Old Main lawn to eat lunch as Galazia reflected about other enjoyable things she saw throughout the day.
"I've seen parents who are usually at work taking off to bring their kids down," she said. "I think it's great."
