The Kids Zone is your family friendly attraction for this festival weekend
If it were up to Sherry Barbour, the name for the BBQ'n Music festival in Bixby would be the BBQ'n Family Festival. A large area within the festival is dedicated to family fun and is again being sponsored by the Oklahoma Central Credit Union.
"We are taking the KIDS ZONE up one notch again this year. It will definitely be a place for lots of enjoyment and excitement for children of all ages, and it will be a great value for smiling parents," said Barbour, Rotary volunteer and chairwoman of the Kids Zone for the 10th Annual Bixby BBQ 'n' Music Festival.
"The adults might have their own rocking music stage, but", Barbour says, "there will be a full line-up of activities and entertainment designed just for families surrounding the KIDS ZONE." Topping the list will be numerous inflatable jumpers with a bargain JUMP PASS available at $12 per child ($2 off coupon, see below). 
Jumps can also be purchased individually. New items for this year will include a petting zoo and the tractor pulled train ride. Thanks to the corporate sponsor, Oklahoma Central Credit Union, and the community partner groups, many of the activities in the Kids Zone are FREE and include table carnival games, face painting, and stage entertainment.
Highlights from the KIDS ZONE stage will be a magic show by Magician/Illusionist, Chris Capstone, and, back by popular demand, Battle of the Fruit Busters, where a sledge hammer meets an array of fruit and vegetables. All the while, the kids will be hearing how certain choices in life can lead to a big mess.
A variety of entertainment will be provided by our local community partner groups. Throughout the festival, there will be other high-energy activities from the Kids Zone stage including the popular 'Minute to Win" game, plus a competitive balloon toss line-up and group tug-of-war. Check the schedule of events for a list of all that will be offered.
Our partner groups include The Bridge Church of Bixby, Triumph Worship Center of Glenpool, Bixby Daily YMCA and Lord of Life Lutheran Church of Bixby. These groups help facilitate the games and will provide a take home craft for every child that wishes to participate. Barbour said, "Some crafts will be directed as gifts for Moms because Mother's Day is the following Sunday. For the teens and the big kid in all of us, there will be a paintball target range, rock climbing wall and a Nascar simulator." These attractions do require tickets to play.
"With the expansion of the KIDS ZONE, I think we have really earned a family friendly reputation in the community," Barbour said. "Bring your lawn chairs and blankets, and then enjoy a festival sweet treat to top it off." The Bixby BBQ'n Music Festival promises to provide a venue of family fun, food and relaxation. Proceeds from the festival return to the community through The Rotary Club of Bixby.