Rendezvous in Moscow, Inc. is thrilled to be the May recipient for the Dime in Time program! The timing couldn’t be better, as we’re gearing up for another exciting festival in July.

Every summer, Rendezvous in Moscow, Inc. puts together Rendezvous in the Park, the popular music festival now in its 27^th year. Another major part of the Rendezvous festivities — especially for the under-12 set — is Rendezvous for Kids. Rendezvous for Kids is a two-day arts festival for pre-school and elementary school-aged children. When you donate your bag rebate this month, you’ll support an opportunity for 3 to 12-year-olds to experience an array of artistic forms including drama, dance, sculpture, painting and more.

Since 1991, Rendezvous for Kids has been a grass roots effort, reflecting some of the best of community life in Moscow. Forty community volunteers come together on each of the two days to ensure the event is a smooth-running success, and we enjoy the participation of many talented local artists. This year, we look forward to serving upwards of 250 local children. Dime in Time funds support our ability to pay artist and performer fees, help cover the cost of materials, and also support the festival’s scholarship program, helping ensure access for children who may not otherwise be able to attend.

This year’s Rendezvous for Kids is July 16 and 17, kicking off at 9 a.m. in East City Park. Each morning will find 5 to12-year-olds rotating through three 45-minute workshops. In the past, these have included activities such as dance, instrument-making, recycled-paper collage, and nature sculpture, and the selection varies so that children experience a diversity of artistic expression from year to year.

A variety of “art stops” are set up adjacent to the workshops. Picture a Midway of arts and crafts experiences for children to drop in and out of, trying activities that might be completely new to them, lingering at those they particularly enjoy. Tie-dye, face painting, and paper crafts are a few of the regular stops, with new activities introduced every year. Workshop participants also receive a Rendezvous t-shirt, picnic lunch, and a lunchtime performance before winding down again at 1 p.m.

Preschool-aged children can participate with their parents or caregivers in a special program starting each morning at 10 a.m., and then explore the art stops. At the end of the morning, all the children come together for the live performance on the park stage.

While children must be pre-registered for the workshops, the art stops and noontime performances are open to all children — separate tickets for impromptu participants are available at a reduced price on the day.