Square Fair Brings Out of this World Experience to DD

Face painting fun at the Square Fair for Kids — Double Decker 2013. By Bracey Harris. April 27, 2013.

The biggest smiles at the 18th annual Double Decker arts festival belonged to those under three feet tall.

Many kids, snow cones in tow, enjoyed the events of the day alongside their parents. Given the popularity of The Hunger Games, it’s not a surprise that one of the most popular sales of the day with the younger crowd was a wooden bow and arrow. The arrow was tailor-made for kids with an eraser in place of a sharp arrowhead.

This year kids received the V.I.P. treatment at Square Fair for Kids courtesy of the Ole Miss hospitality management program. Hospitality students were on hand to assist with the activities as part of a fundraiser.

The event may have been a kids’ only zone, but an astronaut and an alien character joined in on the fun. It was all part of this year’s space theme.

“It actually came about because NASA wanted to come and we just wanted to incorporate NASA so we’re doing an alien theme and all sorts of space themes,” Meredith Brabec, the assistant event coordinator, said as she pointed to the antenna on the top of head.

Little ones waited anxiously while their parents purchased the tickets required to visit the exciting array of booths. Most kids’ fairs have face painting, but this event added a new twist. Those that had a long week at school were pampered with manicures and pedicures.

Activities like the galactic ring toss and the ever-popular moon bounce, had many ready for lift off. One little guy spent most of his time at the craft station painting an astronaut.

“I’m going to add blue to his head and his ears,” 4-year-old Johnny Hanna said.

Some skipped the lines for games and headed for the real fun: food. The Galaxy Café was open for business with sweet treats like cotton candy and Rice Krispies treats.

In addition to a different theme, kids had a bigger venue as well. Square Fair moved from its previous location behind the Oxford University Club.

“It’s much better. Last year it was kind of rough over there, the pavement was uneven and everything, but this is much better,” Nicole Rhoden, a Jackson resident in town for the festivities.

New place, new theme and old-fashioned fun.–– Bracey Harris, Ole Miss broadcast journalism major, braceyh@gmail.com