Free
Event!
2025 ENTERTAINMENT
Percussion Things
Prepare to embark on a journey where rhythm and storytelling collide in an unforgettable performance! For the first time ever, Percussion Things will be making waves at the Festival, bringing tales from across the seven seas—and beyond—to life with the power of percussion. Storyteller Catherine Whiteman and percussionist Len Barnett will whisk audiences away on an interactive voyage filled with global stories, lively beats, and a touch of high-seas mischief. With a treasure chest of rhythms and rollicking tales, they’ll keep families and young buccaneers tapping their toes, clapping their hands, and laughing along in a whirlwind of sound and movement. From distant lands to the heart of the Festival, this dynamic duo brings over 40 years of experience in sparking imaginations and igniting a love of culture through music and words. So gather your crew, follow the beat, and set sail for a show that’ll have ye dancing like a deckhand and dreaming of distant shores!
Phylicia French
Ahoy, Mateys! Set Sail with Author Phylicia French at the Grand Kids Festival! All hands on deck! For the first time ever, the Grand Kids Festival welcomes Phylicia French—a fearless storyteller, entrepreneur, international breakthrough coach, and podcast captain from Galveston, Texas! With a heart full of adventure and a treasure trove of tales, she’s bringing her "Adventures with My Auntie" series to life for young buccaneers and book lovers alike. Drop anchor at her storytime and embark on a thrilling literary voyage filled with excitement and heart. Then, chart a course to her booth, where ye can learn more about her daring escapades and the magic behind her books! When she’s not spinning tales, Phylicia enjoys strolling the sandy shores of her hometown, dancing to sea shanties, traveling the seven seas, and gathering her crew for game nights. Don’t miss yer chance to meet this legendary wordsmith—adventure awaits!
Lemonade Day
Join the Galveston Regional Chamber of Commerce as they spark the entrepreneurial spirit in Galveston County's youth for Lemonade Day. Come sign-up and get ready for Lemonade Day 2025 on May 3th.
Children can find guidance, resources, and excitement to start their entrepreneurial journey. Empower your child to embrace entrepreneurship. Encourage them to seize the day, whip up some lemonade, and embark on a sweet journey of innovation and success!
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Margaret Clauder
Captain Maggie and "Oceans of Fun" Set Sail for the Grand Kids Festival! Get ready to thrill yer little shipmates with a high-energy, one-of-a-kind performance from Margaret Clauder, a proud Texas Commission on the Arts performer! As Captain Maggie, she’ll take ye on a rip-roaring adventure that’s as fun as it is unforgettable!
"Oceans of Fun" is packed to the brim with puppet characters that come to life before yer very eyes—none more exciting than Elmer the Puppet! Watch as Elmer dives deep into the ocean for a wild adventure, encountering everything from sharks to submarines, pirates to porpoises. With ventriloquism galore and interactive songs like "Octopus’s Garden" and "Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini", young buccaneers (and their parents) will be singing along and laughing all the way!
This be a show ye won't want to miss—so grab yer crew.
Juice Box Juke Box
The Juicebox Jukebox Be Bringin’ a Musical Treasure Trove to the Festival! Hoist the anchor for a toe-tappin’, hand-clappin’, high-energy adventure with The Juicebox Jukebox! Created by Dallas-based singer/songwriter and proud father of three, Bradley James Skistimas, this crew be on a mission to bring young buccaneers the finest fun, positive, and educational tunes this side of the seven seas! With songs that spark curiosity, kindness, and courage, The Juicebox Jukebox delivers a bounty of catchy melodies and lively lessons perfect for wee deckhands in Pre-K through 2nd grade—and ye parents and teachers will be hummin’ along, too! So, gather yer crew, follow the sound o’ the music, and prepare to dance, sing, and set sail on a musical journey ye won’t forget! This be a show ye won’t want to miss, ye scallywags.
Simmbro Be Returnin' to Steal Yer Hearts!
Prepare to be swept away by the charm and creativity of the Simmbro crew—a trio o’ young buccaneers ready to steal yer hearts! Titus (9), Enzo (8), and Sire (6), the mighty Simmons brothers, are back to spread their magic with music, fun videos, and a message o' self-love, kindness, and the pure joy o’ life! As content creators, these lads weave a spell o' positivity that’ll have ye grinnin' from ear to ear! Visit their booth to experience their infectious energy and explore their world at www.simmbro.com —ye won’t want to miss out on the adventure! So, gather yer crew and set sail with the Simmbro brothers, who are sure to bring the fun and heart to the festival!
Winklepickerpress
Arrr! Family of Storytellers Sets Sail at the Festival! For the first time ever, we be hoistin’ the Jolly Roger to welcome Melanie Herz Promecene, a proud Galveston native, along with her trusty first mate—her husband Chris—and their young deckhand, Noah! This imaginative 4th grader be the creative spark behind Winklepicker Press, a family crew that crafts enchanting tales sure to shiver yer timbers!
With heart, humor, and a love for art, this talented trio brings stories to life like a true band o’ buccaneers, inspiring young readers and their families to set sail on grand adventures. Now based in Houston with their two goldfish and their playful havadoodle, Mac, they’re droppin’ anchor at the Festival for the very first time—ready to share their treasure trove o’ tales!
Don’t be a landlubber—chart a course to their booth, hear their stories, snag a book, and discover the magic of Winklepicker Press! Yo ho, let the storytelling adventure begin!
Joy Saxton
Young Explorers! Adventure Awaits with Author & Illustrator Joy Saxton! Hoist the sails and prepare for adventure—Joy Saxton is making her maiden voyage to the Grand Kids Festival! With over 25 years of working passionately with young scallywags, Joy has been teaching and crafting stories that inspire kindness and a love for the world around us. Her beautifully illustrated books—painted with acrylic and watercolor—take little buccaneers on grand journeys across the globe, sharing a message of friendship and understanding. One of her treasured tales was even selected by the Barbara Bush Foundation’s My Home Library, delivering books to young deckhands in need across Houston, Texas. Drop anchor at her booth, hear her enchanting stories, and discover how her books have won the hearts of educators, parents, and the young crew alike. Set yer course for adventure—Joy Saxton is ready to share a bounty of stories with ye!
Johnette Downing
Batten Down the Hatches—Johnette Downing Returns to the Grand Kids Festival! We be hoistin’ our sails and strikin’ up a jig, for the “Musical Ambassador to Children” herself, Johnette Downing, is returnin’ to our stage! This New Orleans treasure be a multi-award-winning singer, musician, composer, author, and poet, bringin’ her legendary Louisiana Roots concerts and tales to delight young buccaneers and their crew. With a voice as smooth as bayou waters and a spirit as lively as a Cajun dance, Johnette’s performances be an interactive, educational, and downright swashbucklin’ good time! She’s earned a 59th Grammy Award Participant Certificate, eight Parents’ Choice Awards, four iParenting Media Awards, and many more awards to many to count. No wonder she’s called the “Pied Piper of Louisiana Music Traditions!” So, gather yer mateys, stomp yer boots, and prepare to clap along as Johnette takes ye on a musical voyage filled with Louisiana charm. Don’t forget to grab one o’ her books or CDs—ye won’t want to sail home without ‘em!
United Freestyle Stunt Team
Avast, Me Hearties! The United Freestyle Stunt Team Be Returnin’ to Postoffice Street! Hoist the colors and brace yerselves, for the United Freestyle Stunt Team be makin’ port once again at the Grand Kids Festival! These daredevil pedal-pushers be no ordinary landlubbers—they’ll have ye gaspin’ as they soar to incredible heights, flip through the air like flying fish, and pull off stunts that’d make even the saltiest sea dog’s jaw drop! Ye best be keepin’ a weather eye on Postoffice Street, for this be a performance ye won’t want to miss! So grab yer crew, find a good perch, and prepare to be amazed—this be a show fit for the bravest of buccaneers!
The Tipi Tellers
This year, we gather round the iconic tipi on 21st Street for a special storytelling adventure in remembrance of our dear Tipi Teller member Fred, whom we sadly lost this year. The Tipi Tellers be here to spin Earth stories that teach young and old alike how to treasure and protect the earth and its natural riches. Join us in the giant tipi, where the Tipi Tellers await the curious, the weary, and the lost, ready to fill yer hearts with stories and tipi history. Many a pirate and landlubber alike can’t resist the call of the tipi, returnin’ time and time again to hear just one more tale. This grand adventure be happenin’ from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm—don’t miss yer chance to set foot inside this authentic tipi and let the stories of the earth carry ye away!