Mt. Pleasant Children's Festival - The Time of Our Lives!

Forget visions of sugar-plums dancing in their heads (which can wait for Christmas)…imagine giant twirling strawberries, a 2’ alligator, pony rides, jumpy houses galore, fire trucks and a chugging caterpillar (not beer, college grad…chugging on tracks).  I can almost guarantee I’m not the only mom pleasantly satisfied to have her children-nestled all snug in their beds-earlier than usual tonight.  The Mt. Pleasant Children’s Festival far surpassed the already high-hopes I had for a fantastically fun and inexpensive autumn day in the Lowcountry. 

Upon arrival shortly at noon, we found free parking next to the Elementary School.   To stroller or not to stroller…that was the question.  And I failed to make the best decision.  My boys are almost three (in three weeks) and almost two (in three months).  They can handle a stroll on a beautiful fall day from the parking lot to the festival, I decided.  I had no idea at that time how vast this fair would actually be.  Otherwise, I would’ve decided to bust out my jogger stroller…with sun visors and ample storage for giant balloons crafted into airplanes and swords.  I did not.

When we cornered past the middle school into sight of this FESTIVAL, I was in awe with what lay ahead.  Immediately, we spied a Thomas train choo-chooing across the football field.  Off in other directions is can see a climbing wall, a stage topped with glittery girls dancing for a captive audience of familiar faces, and a fenced-in area of games, activities and rides just for the kiddos under 6.  All of it - FREE.  I was in a budgeted mom’s heaven already.  We parted ways with a friend of mine who headed off to find lunch her son.  I would soon realize this delicious territory would be one of the many highlights of this event.

Immediately, we went to stand in line for the strawberry ride…the longest line in our area.  It didn’t take me long to remember that toddlers don’t do lines.  Forget strawberries.  We made our way to the Caterpillar Choo-Choo.  The train for the little tykes.  This little insect could fit up to 16 kids in it, and with just five loops around the track; the line went quick.  For the first time ever, I lifted both of my boys into an amusement park ride that I wouldn’t be tagging along on.  I worried briefly that my daredevil younger son would stand-up, even after it started to move.  But I let go.  And side-by-side with 7 other moms and dads, we held our camera phones and filmed their trek as we high-fived with each pass.   When the ride had finished…I hugged them tight.  So proud of their independence.

Running along as I followed them for a change, letting them enjoy this freedom in a nicely manicured field-rare to find in these parts thanks to those evil fire ants-we stumbled upon the fire trucks.  Of course, they climbed inside.  The firemen were so inviting and friendly which makes it so much better when they are enthusiastic! 

An hour into the fun, the sun was beating down and I was regretting not bringing my bottle of suntan lotion.  We had lathered up this morning; I hadn’t thought I’d need more.  Ugh, another thing my stroller would’ve been perfect for-shade!  Luckily, we stumbled upon another friend of ours who so kindly offered hers.  Now that my boys were protected from the sun, we ventured to find food.  An array of pizza, sandwiches, chicken, corn dogs, hot dogs, brats, pretzels were all in sight and amazingly-you don’t expect this from a fair-crazy cheap!  I’m talking $2 for a slice of pizza and 50 cents for a bag of chips.  Those prices are an impossible find at most fairs.  Don’t believe me?  I dare you to check out the prices at the Coastal Carolina Fair next week…you’ll have to take out a second mortgage to entertain a family of four! 

Back to Mt. P and the family festival that lives up to the prestige of the community.  Did I forget to mention the goodies for your sweet tooth?  Kettle corn, funnel cake, cotton candy, ice cream and rice krispie treats.  I hope you’re not starving right now…otherwise, I fear I’ve intercepted the diet you started yesterday.

Enough about food.  Here’s the bittersweet part of the gig, at least for me.  Fun for the kids, yes!  More work for me, mom, yes.  The balloon people found us.  They pumped away long balloons in black and white.  Voila, a sword and a plane twice the size of my 2-year-old who thought he had a sword too.  For the next couple of minutes, I tried to corral them in the crowd of hungry souls, as my little knights struck their “swords” whilst unwittingly assaulting random festival-goers.   

Beyond the food zone was a widespread world of fun just for the big kids with a rock climbing wall, laser tag, rides and even a talent agency booth ready to spy the next big thang.  This place has it all, I thought!  Suddenly, I remembered I needed to get my preschooler to the potty.  Not to be underdone, there was a trailer on site with a restroom nicer and cleaner than many local parks.  In and out.  Swift and easy. 

Every good time must come to an end… especially with two toddlers who didn’t nap.  So after petting some goats, a snake and a 2’ alligator, my friend and I decided the bouncy house for kids under 3 would be a great finale.  And it was.  With a slide inside and no big kids to topple them; they were free.  Free to bounce, and jump and turn and slide down on their belly, face first.  And, yes, that was my kid bouncing wildly singing Black Eyed Peas’ “I Got A Feeling”. 

I got a feeling we’ll never miss this festival and you shouldn’t either!

Let us know if you were able to attend this year and what made this experience one of your family favorites this year?

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