CANTON -- The annual North Country Kids Expo will be a day of fun for families, with play zones, performances, demonstrations, and vendors. The event will be held on Saturday, March 16 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at SUNY Canton Roos House Athletic Center, 34 Cornell Dr. Admission is $5 for ages 13 and older; free for kids under 12 thanks to sponsorship from St. Lawrence Health.

Kids can participate in arts-and-crafts projects, and STEM activities, while parents can learn about day care, educational programs, and other child services available in St. Lawrence and surrounding counties.

Experts and representatives will be set up to share resources and information, from health care to after-school activities, to regional attractions.

The expo is hosted by St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce. For more information visit the event page on VisitSTLC.com or contact Tourism & Events Manager, Kathryn Puleo at Kathryn@SLCchamber.org

Here are the attractions, exhibits and vendors who will be on hand:

ENTERTAINMENT

Lena the Lizard Lady

Lena will present a variety of lizards, snakes and sloths on display in a safe, secure space for children to interact with the animals; 10:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.

The science behind the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse

Aileen O’Donoghue, Professor of Physics at St. Lawrence University, will share a kid-friendly presentation about what to expect on April 8th, along with hosting a booth throughout the day to answer questions regarding the eclipse. The STLC chamber will be selling ISO-Certified Protective Glasses for safe viewing of the eclipse; 2:30 - 3:30 p.m.

ATTRACTIONS

Applewood Orchards

Say cheese at their photo opportunity and spin the wheel for prizes! Items from the orchard’s Apple Barn Market including baked goods will also be available for purchase.

Nicandri Nature Center

Learn about their children’s programming with their Nature Experts, while the kids get creative with nature themed arts & crafts and meet one of their live turtles traveling to the expo for its first year!

SLC Arts

Learn about (or register!) for their Creative Partnership and Teen Summer Programs while getting artsy with craft pop-up activities.

St. Lawrence Historical Assoc.

Visit their booth for hand-on activities, crafts and giveaways and learn about the Silas Wright Museum located in Canton.

Visit St. Lawrence County

There’s plenty to do and explore in the largest geographic county in New York State! For fun family activities, daytrips and staycation ideas, visit with one of the Tourism Professionals from the STLC Chamber. Stop by and learn about the robust hiking trail system and all the undiscovered opportunities the county has to offer between the 1,000 Islands and the Adirondacks Foothills!

2024 Total Solar Eclipse

Aileen O’Donoghue, Henry Priest Professor of Physics from St. Lawrence University will be available to answer any questions you have on what your Total Eclipse Experience will look like! Learn what to expect and all the effects that Totality will have when the county goes dark shortly after 3:20pm on Monday, April 8th! To check out all the happenings surrounding the Total Eclipse in STLC visit: www.STLCtotality.com.

CHILD CARE & DAY CAMPS

Canton Day Care Center

Learn about available services for their non-profit child care program for ages 6 weeks – 10 years of age.

SLC Community Development

Make your own fish and/or puppets to go along with Eric Carle books (being displayed). Play with magnetic tiles and get some healthy recipes!

EDUCATION

Canton Free Library

Pick up a map of the Brown Bear Ramble scavenger hunt or get creative with colorful crafts! Design your own DIY rubber duckie or make a scratch-off postcard. Library giveaways will also be available!

Cornell Cooperative Extension of SLC: 4-H Youth Services

Learn about their 4-H Youth Development Programming while children can experiment with playful STEM activities at their ‘Makey Makey’ Engineering Station and set scenes with Legos to create a ‘STOP Motion Movie’.

Cornell Cooperative Extension of SLC: NC Clean Energy Club

Learn how to reduce energy, make model solar panels, and receive free energy efficiency items!

Deep Root Center

Get creative at their table filled with arts and crafts supplies and learn about their alternative educational system for ages 5-19.

Little River Community School

Learn about alternative democratic schooling options for grades K-12.

Massena Public Library

Stock your at home library and pick up a free book! Play with crafts, photo props or enjoy a game of cornhole or story time. Library merchandise will also be available for purchase including t-shirts, tote bags and mugs.

Nature Up North

Kids can assemble a toolbox of materials for birds to build their nests in your backyard! Take the toolboxes home to set them up in a tree, bush, or on the ground in a place where you often see your birds active.

QUALITYstarsNY

Receive individualized support and resources to enhance the quality of your early childhood program.

St. Catherine of Siena Academy

Crafts and literature available while learning about this independent classical school: pre-K through grade 7.

Trout and Heron

Step into the nature-inspired play corner where children can engage in sensory experiences, imaginative play, and hands-on learning. Learn about their new land-based independent private school: grades K-5. 

WPBS-TV

Meet Daniel the Tiger from PBS Kids Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood and receive a PBS Kids goody bag.

FAMILY SERVICES

Children’s Home of Jefferson County

Make some GREEN slime for St. Patrick’s Day with Fostering Futures Foster Care Recruitment Team!

The Arc Jefferson-St. Lawrence

Play The Arc’s Planko game and win prizes while learning about their intellectual and developmental programs.

GardenShare

Learn about the local food system with a variety of activities including food storage, food waste and sensory bins. Check out their Story Walk while you enter the Roos House!

Northern Credit Union

Spin the prize wheel for special giveaways while learning about their children’s Smart Start Savings Program.

Northern Power & Light

Learn about electricity with pinwheel demonstrations and other activities!

SeaComm

Learn about Moola Moola Youth Accounts (for children 12 and under) to grant access to the Spin-The-Wave Program to award academic accomplishments. Kids can also take a spin on their prize wheel!

SLC People Project

Enter their coloring contest for a chance to win prizes or for their raffle!

SLC Sheriff’s Office

Providing Child Safe ID cards.

St. Law. Federal Credit Union

Pick up a piggy bank and other goodies while learning about their Junior Savers Accounts.

Victim’s Assistance Center: Child Advocacy Center of NNY

Play their Duck Water Game and win a prize!

HEALTH CARE

Fidelis Care

While parents learn about health insurance opportunities, kids can color and play with the Dino bean bag toss! Grab a few Lunchology cards including healthy recipes to celebrate March’s National Nutrition Month!

St. Lawrence County Public Health

Learn about programming and available opportunities for your family.

St. Lawrence Health

Play the health Jeopardy Game with health and wellness trivia! Kids can play the “How Much Sugar in Drink Game” and match popular beverages with their sugar content to learn about how to make healthy beverages choices.

United Helpers

Help spread joy by coloring a paper square! Squares collected at the expo will be turned into a Kindness Quilt to be hung at United Helpers’ Behavioral Health Clinic. A joyful Kids Expo tradition! 

Wellness Urgent Care

Create your own spring themed butterfly band-aid.

SHOP

3 Bears Gluten-Free Bakery & Cafe

Gluten-free baked goods including cupcakes, cookies, scones & muffins. 3 Bears, T-shirts, and various retail items will also be available for purchase.

Children’s Youth Author: Michael Doyle

Books available for purchase within the “James’ Ragtag Adventure’s in Quest World” series.

Grasse River Outfitters

20% off Strider Balance Bikes and 50% off helmets. Kids (ages 2-5) can also take a test spin through their special Strider Balance Bike obstacle course!

Sewing 4U & More

Craft Vendor from Canton, NY. Shop children’s capes, masks, key chains and blankets while kids decorate their own free superhero masks!

STLC Chamber of Commerce

STLC Eclipse Viewing Glasses (ISO safety certified) protective STLC Eclipse Viewing Glasses available for purchase for $3 cash. Remember your eclipse experience with a special St. Lawrence County keepsake!

Joey’s Concessions

Assortment of snacks and beverages for sale at the Roos House quick serve stand in the Main Entrance of the Athletic Center.

KIDS BIZ VENDORS

Fable’s Cool Creations!

Custom accessories by Fable Infante (12) with many pieces inspired by Fable’s love for animals. Shop handmade earrings, bracelets, scrunchies, buttons and more!

The Jewelry Queens

Beautiful handmade jewelry by Mila (9) and Luna (7) Besaw with a wide range of colors and designs. Custom orders available during the expo!