(Video) Kids Entertainment Series Draws a Crowd on Opening Night

It may not have been flashy, but Rich Rothstein didn’t disappoint as he used a variety of magic tricks to entertain a crowd at Tuesday night, using rope, card tricks, music and more to capture the attention of both kids and parents.

On second thought, maybe it was just a little bit flashy, but for the start of the 2012 Kids Entertainment Series, that was exactly what organizer Jerry Limmer was looking for.

“This whole event is just about getting families out and having fun,” Limmer said. “The kids love seeing everything whether it’s jugglers, clowns, singers, magicians – and the parents love seeing their reaction.”

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The Kids Entertainment Series kicked off Tuesday night with “Mr. Magic,” Rothstein’s magical alter ego, and a sing-along performance from Ruth O’Neil and Jim Hammit. The show, the first of eight consecutive to be held on Tuesdays from 6 to 8 p.m., drew a crowd of over a hundred.

The series has been going on for 12 years now, Limmer said, and each season seems to draw a slightly larger crowd.

Southington Joseph Stango said he and his family plan to attend each and every one of the shows, noting that it’s not only quality entertainment for his 7-year-old son Joseph, 5-year-old daughter Mary Kate and 18-month-old son Jacob, but is something they can do for free.

“This is something special for the kids and with the economy the way it is, it gives us a chance to get out and do something fun for free,” Stango said. “This is our first time coming, but we plan on making all of them.”

The opening show featured a special guest as Diane Sheard made an unplanned appearance, sharing her talents in face painting and more.

“It’s something I do because I love the community,” said Sheard, who also performs as Valentine the Clown.

The show will be held each week at Recreation Park, Limmer said. If whether is questionable, it will be held under the pavilion and if there are severe storms, it will be moved inside the , he said.

For more information on the Kids Entertainment Series, including a list of upcoming performances, visit the Southington Parks and Recreation website by clicking the link provided.

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