New York State Office of General Services Commissioner RoAnn M. Destito today announced children and their families are welcome to join Thomas & Friends^TM on a fun-filled, sing-along adventure at Kids Day, presented by MVP Health Care. This free, kid-centric, outdoor event will be held at the Empire State Plaza from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday, July 14.

“The Empire State Plaza is lit up with the faces of thousands of smiling children who come to the annual Kids Day each summer, and with Thomas and Friends taking part in this year’s event, I know the day will truly be special,” Commissioner Destito said. “We are very pleased to partner with MVP Health Care to present this wonderful event and grateful to all of the generous sponsors for their support.”

“MVP Health Care has a strong commitment to the communities we serve. This annual event is a favorite for children and families throughout the region, filling the Empire State Plaza with activities that focus on fun and good health. MVP Health Care is proud to be the title sponsor for the second year in a row,” said Ted Herman, senior leader, marketing & communications at MVP Health Care. 

This year’s event will include opportunities to meet Robin and Starfire, members of DC Comics’ Teen Titans superhero team. On the Kids Day stage, Thomas & Friends are pulling in to the station. Bring your friends and family and don’t miss the opportunity to meet everyone’s favorite No. 1 blue engine, and get your photo taken!

Kids Day will also feature:

• Performances by School of Rock – where students learn to rock their worlds.
• Train rides around the Plaza on the Roaming Railroad.
• Touch a Truck presented by CDTA - check out a Zamboni, a mini excavator, a street sweeper, and more.
• Amazing animals, including hopping kangaroos, flying lemurs, and a tortoise at the Two by Two Zoo.
• Food vendors to satisfy everyone’s tastes.

About MVP Health Care

MVP Health Care is a nationally recognized, community-focused, not-for-profit health insurer serving more than 700,000 members in New York and Vermont. Committed to the complete well-being of its members, MVP provides the tools and information they need to achieve better health and peace of mind. For more information, visit www.mvphealthcare.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mvphealthcare, and on Twitter at @MVPHealthCare.

Kids Day Schedule

Kids Day Stage

12:30 p.m.     Thomas & Friends Sing Along Adventure

1:00 p.m.       Meet and Greet with Thomas & Friends

2:00 p.m.        Storytime with Thomas & Friends

2:30 p.m.       Thomas & Friends Sing Along Adventure

3:00 p.m.       Meet and Greet with Thomas & Friends

4:00 p.m.       Storytime with Thomas & Friends

4:30 p.m.        Thomas & Friends Sing Along Adventure

Near Agency Building 2:

12:30 p.m.     Meet and Greet with Robin and Starfire of Teen Titans

1:30 p.m.        Meet and Greet with Robin and Starfire of Teen Titans

2:30 p.m.        Meet and Greet with Robin and Starfire of Teen Titans

3:30 p.m.        Meet and Greet with Robin and Starfire of Teen Titans

Each meet and greet session will be 40 minutes.

All day on the Plaza: noon to 5 p.m.

• Balloon giveaway from MVP Health Care
• Roaming Railroad
• Two by Two Zoo
• Pony rides
• Face painters
• Bounce rides
• Fun putt mini golf
• Damien’s Rock Wall

Free parking will be available in the east parking garage and cathedral lot, each located off Madison Avenue near the entrance to the Empire State Plaza. Parking is also available in the visitor or V-Lot beneath the Empire State Plaza for a fee of $5.

For event updates and additional information on opening acts, people can follow @plazaevents on Twitter, visit Empire State Plaza on Facebook, or call (518) 474-4759. Rain location will be in the Empire State Plaza Convention Center. For additional information, including ground rules, visit our website at www.empirestateplaza.org.

Sponsors of Kids Day include MVP Health Care, New York State of Health, New York 529 College Savings Program, CDTA, 99.5 The River, Kiss 102.3, and Lego Land.