Hamilton, Ohio – There will be enormous gourds all over downtown Hamilton this weekend, but the biggest splash at Operation Pumpkin this weekend may come from the smallest pumpkins.
The Fitton Family Fun Zone on Court Steet features thousands of miniature pumpkins for kids to paint from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday October 13 to 15.
Not only that, the Fun Zone introduces Pumpkin Derby racing on Saturday and Sunday.
Kids can bring their freshly painted pumpkins to a custom-built 40-foot track - built by TAMZ Construction and manned by area Boy Scout volunteers – to take a spin in specially built pumpkin racers designed by Fitton Center Director of Education Kate Rowekamp.
The Fitton Family Fun Zone also features plenty of other entertainment as Hamilton’s own DJ Christian D. spins all day Friday from the children’s stage. On Saturday he’ll share that stage with Grammy nominee Zak Morgan and Miss Joanie, acclaimed children’s musicians based in Cincinnati.
Morgan earned his Grammy nomination for his second album, When Bullfrogs Croak. He got his sense of humor and wordplay from his Grandpa George, who told Zak and his siblings wonderful stories about magnetic feet, kissing the Blarney Stone and catching a lion with bare hands. His The Barber of the Beasts album features not only lush orchestral arrangements, but also a collaboration with Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Bootsy Collins.
Miss Joanie – aka Joanie Wittaker - is an in-demand children’s entertainer and musician who gets tremendous joy from involving children of all ages in an interactive, music-making experience. Her debut children’s album Miss Joanie's Potty Party won the Best of Cincinnati Kids’ CD Award. Her second album, When the Sun Shines, won a prestigious Parents’ Choice Award.
The entertainment schedule for the weekend follows:
FRIDAY 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. – DJ Christian D.
SATURDAY 11 a.m. - DJ Christian D. 11:30 a.m. – Miss Joanie 12:30 p.m. - DJ Christian D. 1 p.m. – Zak Morgan 2 p.m. - DJ Christian D. 2:30 p.m. – Miss Joanie 4 p.m. – Zak Morgan
SUNDAY 11 a.m. - DJ Christian D. 12 p.m. – Miss Joanie 1 p.m. - DJ Christian D. 2 p.m. – Miss Joanie 3 p.m. – DJ Christian D.
The Fitton Center for Creative Arts is located at 101 S. Monument Avenue on the Riverfront in downtown Hamilton, Ohio.
Building Community Excellence through the Arts and Culture
