Baby Bonanza

By BRET LIEBENDORFERPublished: Sunday, April 4, 2010 8:30 AM EDT

Suburban News Publications

All things mom, dad, baby and child will be under one roof at the upcoming Baby Bonanza & Kids Expo.“I’m a mom with two young kids, and there was nothing out there like this,” said Kendra Nicastro, founder of K.C.’s Creative Events. “Raising a family is tough.”Now in its fourth year, the event — set from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 10, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 11, at Veterans Memorial, 300 W. Broad St. in Columbus — targets young families with kids up to 10 years old.

Nicastro said there are a number of wonderful events for children, but hers is the largest in Ohio and the only one that includes expecting mothers.

The highlight of the event, Nicastro said, is variety. Vendors at the event include topics from day care, ultrasound, family photographs and financial planning.“I want it to be a one-stop shop,” she said.To ensure variety, vendor categories are limited.

“We want every vendor to be successful,” Nicastro said. “We don’t oversaturate any category.”

New this year is an expanded format that will take last year’s one-day event at the Aladdin Shrine Center and move it to Veterans Memorial for a two-day event. Last year, 3,000 people attended; Nicastro said she expects that number to increase, and there are more than 100 confirmed vendors this year.

Additional features of the event include interactive play areas, educational seminars and a green pavilion that will feature organic and ecofriendly products.

In the future, Nicastro said she would like to expand to neighboring states. In the meantime, a similar expo is being held April 24 and 25 in Cleveland.

To liven things up, the events also feature entertainment, such as a challenge for dads that involves pushing a doll in a stroller around an obstacle course, and a diaper derby for those too young to walk.

“It’s pretty goofy, but it’s a lot of fun,” Nicastro said.

Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for grandparents and $3 for children ages 3 and older. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the March of Dimes Foundation. Each day, the first 50 moms will receive a free gift bag and all dads will receive the book ABCs for Expectant Dads by Todd Barrett Lieman.

For more information, including a schedule of events, visit the Web site babybonanza.net.