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Kid-Tastic Celebration Set for the Marine Corps Marathon in Crystal City

Kid-Tastic Celebration Set for the Marine Corps Marathon in Crystal City
Milkshake, Rocknoceros and Oh Susannah! to Perform Live

Crystal City (Arlington, VA) – The Crystal City Business Improvement District (BID) announced that it will be hosting a Kid-tastic celebration at the 34th Annual Marine Corps Marathon scheduled for Sunday, October 25, 2009, which attracts an average of 33,000 runners each year. The festivities will be held from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM at 18th and Crystal Drive, conveniently located near the Crystal City metro station on the blue and yellow lines. There will be fun for the whole family with plenty of moon bounces, face painting, bubbles, balloon animals, circus performances, crafts, and live music!

“Each year the Crystal City BID tweaks this high-energy family event to keep it fresh and fun,” said Angela Fox, President/CEO of the BID. “This year brings even more activities for kids and families – ensuring that they can have a good time while waiting for their runners to hit miles 22 and 23 of the race.”

Milkshake will headline the event with their tuneful, memorable songs that evoke influences from Rodgers and Hammerstein to Lennon-McCartney to The White Stripes. Their music transcends age and appeals to both kids and their parents. Coach Cotton, Williebob, and Boogie Woogie Bennie of Rocknoceros are also set to perform on stage. Rocknoceros has dominated the Washington, DC children's music scene since its inception in 2005, winning four Washington Area Music Awards. Closing out the list of performers, Oh Susannah! brings a tasty blend of familiar favorites and lively originals perfect for singing and dancing along. Parents and children alike will love her music for its unusual arrangements, clever lyrics and beautiful vocals.

The Alliance for a Healthier Generation will also be present with giveaways and will conduct various activities for the children and their parents. The Alliance was founded in 2005 to create a healthier generation by addressing one of the nation's leading public health threats—childhood obesity. Their mission is to reduce the nationwide prevalence of childhood obesity by 2015 and to empower kids nationwide to make healthy lifestyle choices.

Lastly, a kid-tastic celebration would not be complete without a range of snacks and candy for the children and their families. Popcorn and cotton candy will be served at the festival, and in anticipation of Halloween, restaurants along and near Crystal Drive will be opening their doors for trick-or-treaters. Bring out your Halloween costume a week early and get your sweet tooth ready for lots of candy!

The Crystal City BID, through its Crystal Green Program, has a “low-to-no waste” event policy. Onsite recycling, eco-friendly products and compost bins will be available at the celebration.

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The Crystal City Business Improvement District (BID) is a public-private partnership established in April 2006 to promote the vibrant Crystal City business, retail, restaurant and residential community. The BID is committed to showcasing the area as a world-class destination for visitors, employees and residents. Crystal City is ACTIVE, ARTFUL, ACCESSIBLE, and GREEN. For more information, visit www.crystalcity.org.