Brooklyn, NY – On Saturday, November 1st (12:00 – 4:00 PM), Town Square partners with The Mamas Expo to present the 2nd annual Brooklyn BabyFest & Family Jam ("BabyFest") at the brand new Brooklyn Expo Center (79 Franklin Street in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, NY).  From Greenpoint to Park Slope, “Brooklyn” has become THE place where parents and parents-to-be want to raise their families. Dubbed ‘Toddlertown’ by the New York Times, North Brooklyn is the center of style and hipness. BabyFest 2014 is the premier expectant and new parents’ experience. With informative workshops and demos, delicious goodies, and “mock-tail” tastings, this 1-day expo offers parents the opportunity to test out great baby gear, meet other parents, learn about amazing services and score amazing prizes!

With over 100 patrons, supporters and sponsors last year, BabyFest 2014 is planning a unique and memorable family experience. Exhibitors and supporters include ABC Infant & Toddler Center, All In One Entertainment, Babies R Us, Baby Bubbles NYC, Baby Caravan, Baby Mushroom, Baby Nose Vac, Babyganics, Babyhome, Babywearing International of NYC, Beyond Care, Big Apple Circus, Bitesize Pediatric Dentistry, BQE Media, Brighter Babies Early Development Center, Brooklyn Expo Center, Brooklyn Parent/NY Metro Parents, Bundle Organics, Caribou Baby, College Nannies + Tutors, Cryo-Cell International, GoGo Babies, Good Eggs, Green Mountain Energy Company, Green Mustache, Greenpoint Chamber of Commerce, Greenpoint Gazette, Greenpoint YMCA, Jane Strollers, Kid & Coe, King Kidlet, Kings Bay Y at North Williamsburg, Mommybites, New York Family, New York Life, Parents League of NY, Pediatric Associates of NYC, PLAY Greenpoint, Power Home Remodeling Group, Red Tricycle, Sage Music, SoulCycle Williamsburg, StemCyte, Studio IV - Violin and Viola Instruction, The Brooklyn Kitchen, The Laundry Taxi, UBBI, Vision of Soles, Wee Babe, Well-Rounded NYC,WG News + Arts, WillyPoint Kids, Zipcar and more.

This year, BabyFest will be held at The Brooklyn Expo Center - a unique property that boasts a beautiful glass exterior, large open space, high ceilings, and on-site parking.  BabyFest will include Town Square’s popular annual Halloween Party & Parade, a Toddlertown play area with bouncy houses, stroller cleaning and tune-up services by Baby Bubbles NYC and an exclusive D a ddy’s Lounge hosted by the NYC Dad’s Group and sponsored by All In One Entertainment!  Get your tickets today at brooklynbabyfest.com/tickets!

ABOUT THE PRODUCERS:

Town Square is a community-based organization in Greenpoint and Williamsburg, Brooklyn that produces many family events and programs throughout the year. Notable events include the popular Go Green! Greenpoint Festival, Greencycle Swaps, McGolrick Egg Hunt, NYC PTA Expo, Pumpkin Day, Santa Brunch, SummerStarz - an outdoor children’s movie series, SchoolFEST and many more! Town Square’s community-centric programming draws thousands of families from all over Brooklyn and services Greenpoint/Williamsburg areas with vibrant and safe activities for all.

The Mamas Expo is a family friendly gathering that celebrates parenting culture in NYC and beyond. It brings together local resources, businesses, brands, educators, caretakers, parents, grandparents, performers, artists and of course, kids to receive an exclusive look at all of the new resources available while having fun! Held at the NY Hall of Science in Queens, The Mamas Expo is one of the largest expos in the city.

BROOKLYN BABYFEST 2014 HIGHLIGHTS:

Town Square’s Greenpoint Children’s Halloween Party & Parade - For over a decade, Town Square has brought Halloween fun to the families of North Brooklyn. This year, to celebrate our partnership, the parade route begins at the Brooklyn EXPO, marches down Manhattan Avenue - the main retail strip in Greenpoint - and ends back at the Brooklyn EXPO.  We encourage BabyFest patrons, families and kids to wear their best costume to this spooktacular party/parade!  The party runs from 12 Noon to 4 PM.  Parade assembly begins at 12:30 PM and the parade kicks off promptly at 1:00 PM. The Children’s Halloween Party is included with BabyFest admission tickets. BabyFest attendees with wristbands will re-gain entry to BabyFest and the Halloween Party after the parade. All are encouraged to purchase their tickets in advance at brooklynbabyfest.com/tickets/.

New Dad Boot Camp Workshop
Presented by Lance Somerfeld & Matt Schnieider, Co- Founders NYC Dads Group
Offers expectant and new dads a frank discussion along with practical advice and hands-on training in essential parenting duties. Connect with experienced dads (and their babies) to talk about the opportunities and rewards of caring for our children that includes developing a parenting partnership, being supportive of mom, bonding with your baby, and balancing work and parenting.

Plan for Postpartum
Presented by Olivia Bergeron, LCSW of Mommy Groove Therapy
Dedicated to planning for labor and birth, and to the postpartum period, Olivia Bergeron specializes in helping parents navigate this tricky time. She’ll help you develop a postpartum plan that will ease your transition to new parenthood.

Daycare & Preschool 411
Presented by Leah Fink, School Select NYC
Perfect for families who are researching preschools, or for those parents who just want to learn more about what to expect. Topics covered include: when to apply, school types/philosophies, what to look for and the right questions to ask.

Getting Around the City: Babywearing & Baby Gear
Presented by Adriane Stare, Caribou Baby and Jessica Glorieux, Brooklyn BabyFest
Get great advice and expert demos from two of the best stores in Brooklyn! Adriane Stare will explore babywearing and how it allows parents to attend to the needs of their baby while also getting things done. She will introduce the top 3 best carriers for newborns, show you why she loves them, and help you choose the best one for your family. Jessica Glorieux will help demystify the world of strollers and baby gear! Join us as we explore the hottest strollers for 2015 and help parents think about what type of stroller best suits their needs.

Intro to Baby Massage
Presented by Ellynne Skove, GoGoBabies
An interactive intro for baby and parent/caregiver utilizing song, dance, yoga, play, massage, and breath work with a variety of stimulating props, instruments, and activities. Designed with the development of babies and their particular needs in mind, the activities are created to nurture and foster their growth while honoring their process and individuality.

Flexercise: How Even a Little Workout Can Go a Long Way to Make a Happy Mama
Presented by Dayna M. Kurtz, LMSW, CPT, Postnatal Fitness & Counseling
Beyond helpful and healthful tips for losing the baby weight, we will also explore why a moderate amount of exercise is an essential part of making mama happy during this exciting and challenging time. Learn creative, cost-effective and practical ways to incorporate fitness into your life after baby comes, and how this will help combat the effects of sleep-deprivation, “baby blues,” and other common new-mom stressors.

Calling all goblins and witches, princes and princesses, super heroes and villains! Greenpoint Children's Halloween Parade and Party is on Saturday, November 1st. Our traditional Halloween Party will be a spooktacular feature at Brooklyn BabyFest & Family Jam from 12 to 4 PM!  The costume parade will start at Brooklyn BabyFest at 1 PM.  We'll march down Manhattan Avenue, Greenpoint's main retail strip, and back to Brooklyn Babyfest where you can rejoin the party.  Parade is free to join.  The Halloween party is included with BabyFest admission tickets.  Zombie Nerf War will start at 4 PM at the Polish & Slavic Center on Java Street.  $10 a round; you must be 8 years old or older.  You can use one of our nerf guns or bring your own to deal with those pesky zombies.  Woo hoo!  What a blast! 

Parade is FREE to join.
Admission to party is included with Brooklyn BabyFest, Buy tickets here!

Buy Zombie Nerf War tickets here!