The pitter-patter of little feet could be heard throughout the Indian River Mall recently, as children and families enjoyed an Indoor VendorFest Back to School Event presented by the mall, an entertaining way to prepare students as they soon head back to school.
There were lots of things for children to take part in, including the always popular face painting, and a variety of educational and engaging activities. And, just in time for the Olympics, attendees could watch martial arts demonstrations a little closer to home.
While they were kept entertained, parents had a chance to peruse a whole host of items from 40 different vendors, getting in a little back-to-school shopping and visiting the various informational booths manned by local nonprofits.
School supplies and backpacks were collected during the event, which the Salvation Army, United Way of Indian River County and Big Brothers Big Sisters were going to organize and donate to families needing a little extra help before they send their little ones off to school.
Children could also take a walk down Moonshot Literacy Lane, featuring poster-sized pages from the book “Waldo’s Mountain,” written by local author, artist and cattleman Sean Sexton about his famous entrepreneur grandfather, Waldo Sexton. As families traveled from page to page at storefronts around the mall, they learned a bit about the history of Vero Beach and the “mountain,” a sizable pyramid-like monument built by Waldo Sexton on A1A, near Bethel Creek.
The story walk was designed to build comprehension and vocabulary, while developing literacy skills and encouraging children and adults to read, talk and play together. They finished off their exciting adventure by creating sand art scenes.
Outside the main entrance, families visited the Moonshot Reading Rocket, and the Visiting Nurse Association’s Mobile Health Clinic was on hand to provide free school physicals.
There were also prizes given out throughout the day, and a raffle drawing benefiting the Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County.
Photos by Kaila Jones
