Free "Bubblemania" at Alliance's Silver Park drew hundreds

ALLIANCE ‒ Bubbles drew hundreds of families to Silver Park on Thursday.

In collaboration, the Early Childhood Education Alliance and the Great Lakes Science Center hosted "Bubblemania" − a free family event − at the amphitheater.

The one-hour show explored bubble science, and Kyle Rickert, a specialist at the Great Lakes Science Center in Cleveland, demonstrated how to make bubbles with different instruments, like a sock.

Rickert also interacted with children.

"I thought it was awesome. We love the Great Lakes Science Center," said Marchanna Livengood of Ravenna, whose 10-year-old son Colton was chosen for one of the demonstrations.

The program was intended for preschool-age children.

Elizabeth Hibbs, director of the Early Childhood Education Alliance, said the nonprofit has wanted to collaborate with the Great Lakes Science Center for some time and offer programs in the Alliance area.

"A lot of our families might not be able to go" to the Great Lakes Science Center, she said.

The agency supports early education initiatives for families, getting children ready for school, and early learning centers. Through its SPARK program, the nonprofit serves Alliance, Marlington Local and Sebring Local school districts.

Hibbs said she is hoping to have more outreach programs for the Alliance area through the Great Lakes Science Center. "Bubblemania was one of them, and it most fit preschool age," she said.

Kimmie Baird of Alliance and her cousin, Erica Stuchell of Ravenna, brought their children to the show. Both enjoyed it, but they thought there could've been more bubbles − like bubble machines − for younger kids.

Both brought their own bubbles to entertain their children. Not all did.

"This was our first time doing it," Hibbs said. "We were excited to see the level of interest that we saw. It was a really good turnout."

Reach Benjamin Duer at 330-580-8567 or ben.duer@cantonrep.com. On X (formerly Twitter): @bduerREP.