Ann-Marie Newsome (right) of Allman Town Primary and Jahneil Burnett of St. Benedict's Primary get to try on a police officer's head gear as Constable Stacy Davis shows how it is worn at the Jamaica Constabulary Force's booth at the Children's Expo, currently under way at the National Arena. - Norman Grindley/Deputy Chief Photographer

Representatives of the more than 70 booths exhibited yesterday at the Children's Expo, at the National Arena in Kingston, had their hands full as thousands of students swarmed the displays.

Englebert Davis, coordinator of the expo, said that at least 5,000 children, excluding caregivers, packed the venue for the start of the event which ends on Sunday.

The expo, first staged in 1990, is the highlight of National Child Month.

A wide range of exhibitors such as fast-food outlets and manufacturers, government ministries, technology companies, fashion designers, church groups, a dental-care provider and a mental-health organisation cornered the top and bottom floors of the arena.

Overwhelming

"The expo, on the first day, was just overwhelming. It was because of the support as a number of students were present, coming from across Jamaica," said Mr. Davis.

While adults complained about the noise that filled the arena, students from as far away as Manchester, St. Ann and St. Thomas enjoyed the offerings of the exhibitors and soaked up the entertainment.

One student, Naricia Samuels, of St. Theresa All-Age in St. Andrew, said that she came for the fun.

"Here we have a lot of fun, and it is very educational," said Naricia who was last at the expo in 2005.

Her schoolmate, Fiona Weir, said that while she was at the event to have fun, she wanted to win one of the prizes being offered by several of the exhibitors.

"I want to see Chicky (The KFC mascot) and win a prize," laughed Fiona.

Mr. Davis said that the tickets for today's event were sold off.

"Several teachers and parents are just upset that we didn't have more tickets available," said Mr. Davis.

On Saturday and Sunday, the cost for children is $100 and for adults $200.

If you intend to take your child or students to Children's Expo, here are a few pointers to keep them from being lost.

If it is a group of children, have them hold hands and walk together in a line.

Keep a firm hold of your child.

Ensure that your child wears the armband that is issued at the expo so a member of the committee can identify him or her if the child wanders off.

Schedule of activities for Friday, May 11, 2007

10:00 a.m. - Gates open

10:30 a.m. - Welcome

10:40 a.m. - 11:40

Exhibitors hour

12:00 noon - KFC hour

1:00 p.m. - Performance by Wilbert Stewart

Basic School/on-stage presentations by NGO groups

2:00 p.m. Drawing of gate prizes

2:15-3:15 pm - Sponsors' hour

3:30-4:30 p.m. - Kingston Drummers

6:00 p.m. - Expo closes