Until last year I had attended 17 G fests in a row so this is coming from someone with a sizable history on the subject.
G fest used to have at least a fair amount of activities to keep kids entertained so they didn't feel like they were just getting dragged along to something designed solely for adults.Unfortunately in recent years that has changed to the point where I will no longer consider bringing my kids to the festival since there is little, if anything, there to allow them the chance for some fun to balance out beinging dragged all over the festival site by parents looking to buy gear,watch films,meet friends,etc.
I doubt I'm the only paddler with kids who has noticed this change and reconsidered attending Gauley Fest because of it.While I understand the later hours have become known for the kind of gleeful debauchery unfit for children anyway that still leaves the earlier hours where kid friendly activities were formerly given some attention.
I think AW should keep in mind that Gauley Fest is, and should always be, about something more than a retail market place.

This is a great idea. We could have a sort of kids tent with various activities.

What sort of kid activities were there in the past?

Here are some that I think could happen easily:
-face painting
-coloring books and coloring area
-scavenger hunt
-egg toss
-three legged race with parent

Let me know what you think. I already found someone who would be willing to help lead this.

Ben

I've been coming to the GF since the very first one. Both my kids have attended from the womb through HS and college and I while do not recall any organized efforts at child diversion, I do recall a lot of disorganized ones.

I remember once when our kids were small and mobile that there were a bunch of volunteers hanging out in the red barn shelter helping with the NPFF signage in the afternoon and it became a juice bar mass of kids having at the colored sharpies..

I think having a focus for the kids is a great idea. But I don't need it these days. Mine are now being diverted by paddling the Gauley:-)

Musical Kayaks...just like musical chairs

How about Foamies (toy boats). That will appeal to a wider age range of kids then some of the things mentioned above. I remember probably 10 years ago folks coming with a tank setup like a mini course with flowing water. My kids loved it. They still play with Foamies. Some entrepreneurial type could sell some.

hey Paul whats up my little girl is 5 years old now is there any activity's for her? contact me via my email @ enderstyle@live.com please. thanks , Wayne