Kid Fest goes Big Time!

Logan and Kendall from Big Time Rush will be there.

So will Jillian Jensen from last season’s “The X-Factor.” Ditto for pop duo L2, known for their dance songs “Insomniac” and “Boys and Girls.”

And then there’s Alex Angelo, also known as DJ Beatboy, a middle schooler from Ohio who has done some opening-act mixing for the likes of Justin Bieber, Pitbull and Carly Rae Jepsen.

Throw in some games and activities plus food vendors from Chik-Fil-A to Papa Johns Pizza to Bruster’s Ice Cream, and you’ve got KidFest, a day-long family festival running noon to 8 p.m. Saturday at the Ocala Entertainment Complex.

Also family friendly is the beneficiary of the event, the Marion County Literacy Council.

Shane Godwin, who handles marketing and promotions for OEC/AJ’s on the Square/Coyote Cantina, said this is an event the whole family can enjoy.

He said ticket sales really picked up last week, and he’s now expecting a couple thousand people to attend.

Logan Henderson and Kendall Schmidt, two of the fo

Jensen has been singing and performing since age 2, but it was her appearance last year on “The X Factor” that brought her into the national spotlight. She not only sings and composes her own songs, but she also plays seven different instruments. Count them: guitar, piano, saxophone, violin, drums, bass and ukulele.

As someone who was bullied in middle and high school, Jensen also speaks out against bullying as part of the national Stand Up Against Bullying campaign.

“She has a great voice and great personality so we knew she’d be a great fit,” Godwin said. “She’s also got an anti-bullying campaign, and we felt this was important to tie into this event.”

Many have seen pop duo L2 — sisters Jessica and Melissa Labbadia — on YouTube doing the promo video for KidFest. And many also have heard their music on TV shows such as “Keeping Up with the Kardashians,” “The Real World” and “Married to Jonas.”

But KidFest is not just about the music. From noon to 4 p.m., Kid Events will be there with its bounce houses, big slides, laser tag, rock walls and more.

“There will be all kinds of rides and fun for 3- and 4-year-olds on up to adults,” Godwin said. “Parents will be there hanging out with their kids so they can have some fun, too.”

Godwin said this type of event is a first for OEC, but it’s not the last.

“I think it’s going to offer some great exposure to this facility,” he said. “Some just think it’s a nightclub, but it really is a great facility, and we plan to do a lot more of these type [of] events here.”

Source: www.ocala.com