E.L. entertains youngsters with Play in the Park

By Zane McMillin | Originally Published: 07/21/09 8:47pm |Modified: 07/21/09 9:45pm | No comments

Nichole Hoerner | The State News

Madeleine Pine, 5, participates in motions for a story Tuesday evening at Valley Court Park while Isabelle Westphal, 3, sits on the lap of her sister Sophia Westphal, 5, and their father, East Lansing Resident Todd Westphal, tries to get 1-year-old Aden Briggs to participate. The Man of 1000 Voices, Chris Measzros, performed stories and songs for children at East Lansing’s Play in the Park series.

The city of East Lansing on Tuesday hosted July’s third Play in the Park, an interactive entertainment series geared toward younger audiences.

Play in the Park is held at Valley Court Park, 201 Hillside Court.

At Tuesday’s event, storyteller Chris Measzros, known by his stage name the Man of 1,000 Voices, was the main attraction. Measzros acted out a play with the help of young participants from the audience, who acted in roles ranging from trolls to kings.

Measzros said the interaction between parents and children is one of the most important elements of the event.

“The adults see their kids being really funny and the kids get to see the adults being silly,” he said. “It’s the idea of a family being able to share in that.”

Measzros said it also was important for the community to get out and enjoy one another’s company while being entertained.

“It brings the community together,” he said. “It allows people to enjoy entertainment in a community kind of way.”

Jessica How, a community events intern who organizes the shows, said Play in the Park is outdoor family fun that takes a different approach than most summer activities.

“It’s important to give community members and their children something fun to do together that may be a bit different,” Howe said. “They may not get an opportunity to see someone like that perform on a regular basis.”

Play in the Park, which occurs every Tuesday in July, has enjoyed success this year, she said, and drew almost 200 participants last week.

East Lansing resident Alexis Lay said Play in the Park was local fun and a way for families to spend time together.

“It’s something for the kids to do and it brought the community together,” she said.

Howe said next weeks Play in the Park event will feature animal’s from Preuss Pets. It will be the last Play in the Park event of the summer and is free.