KNOW AND GO

What: Children’s Music Festival

Where: Folsom Aquatic Center, 1200 Riley St.

When: 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 29

Cost: $6 per person

Info: (916) 355-8319

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While oil and water may not mix, organizers of a Folsom children’s event hope music and water will make sweet partners.

Kids are set to converge on the Folsom Aquatic Center for the second Children’s Music Festival starting at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 29. Admission is $6 and includes free admission to the center at 1 p.m., following the festival.

According to organizers, the festival is necessary, especially in this economy.

Debbie Doss is the driving force behind bringing music to the masses. She owns the American River Montessori in Folsom and said children should incorporate music into their lives and education. Last year, the festival was held at American River College.

Doss moved it to Folsom for a reason, she said.

“It’s needed in this town,” she said. “Parents are stressed out in this economy and we want parents to relax and have a good time.”

Doss estimates that more than 200 children and adults will attend the festival.

Chad Gunter, senior recreation coordinator at the Aquatic Center, said the center is an ideal spot for a family friendly event.

“The parks and recreation have a wide collection of family programming,” Gunter said. “The Aquatic Center is a great place to hold the event and we get the support of the community.”

According to Doss, children will be able to listen to live music, play instruments and participate in activities and crafts.

Performers include Tim Williams, Gary Bowman, Frankie “Dizzy Fingers” Maranzino and two-time Grammy Award winner Mary Youngblood. Bowman is a musician, educator and zookeeper. On his latest album, “Songs of the Ocean,” Bowman collaborated with Youngblood.

The Hawkins School of Performing Arts and the Aloha Dancers will be providing dance performances.

The musical performances are geared toward preschool through sixth grade-aged children, but older kids can enjoy them too, according to Doss.

Parents are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets for seating during the performances.

“The children can enjoy the show and be with their parents,” Doss said. “They can move around and not be required to be seated.”

In addition to performances, North Ridge Music will offer an “instrument petting zoo” with their interactive Instrument Exploration Table. First through sixth-grade children will get more hands-on experience with singing workshops provided by the Northern California Children’s Chorus Organization.

Crafts include making egg shakers with The Funky Art Center or painting with Color Me Mine.

Vendors such as Jamba Juice, Extreme Pizza, Mathnasium and Sylvan Learning Center will also be at the festival.

For more information, call (916) 355-8319.