Our first hour of the event has always been dedicated to the children of the community.

The children’s hour typically features Puppets for the King, who has been a part of the event since 2001, the first year. Puppets for the King has been performing Christian puppet shows around the community since 1991 and incorporates unique live interaction and audience participation. They are a favorite part of every attendee’s day. In 2010, Jeremy, the mascot puppet, produced some commercials for the Gospel Sing. They were a hit and many people enjoyed the creative advertisement.

You can see the commercials here.

At the conclusion of the puppet show we distribute approximately 50 treat bags to the kids. Each bag contains candy, games, pencils, stickers, or other prizes provided by local businesses.

Since 2009, Faron Buskol and his wife, Sarabelle, have been a part of the event with Gospel Illusions and Balloon animals. Every Illusion has a Gospel message. Each child, as well as every adult, is mystified by this creative way of performing an object lesson. Faron can keep the audience sitting on the edge of their seats and will leave with everyone saying, “how did he do that!”

2009 was Frownie’s first appearance at the All Day Gospel Sing and he returned in 2010. Frownie loves coming to the event and will return as his schedule allows. In 2010 Frownie was joined by Elmer, part of Puppets for the King. They both loved to get pictures with the kids and, of course, some of the adults too.

Every year we invite as many of the local mascots as we can. Their schedules don’t always allow them to visit us. Keep checking the website for any updates as to who will be visiting with us.

The McKeesport High School Choir joined us in 2010 and will be back again, hopefully every year. Many of the parents had never heard about our event before and enjoyed the rest of the day there. The choir had only practiced less than a dozen days before the event as that was when school started.

They opened the day with the National Anthem and did an awesome job. It really set the mood for the rest of the day especially considering it was held on the anniversary date of 9-11. I think that will become a tradition.

Miss Murphy, choir director, does a great job with the kids and we so appreciated the choir being a part of our event!

Also new in 2010 and for the first time in 10 years we had a Christian Rapper, G-Dub Boyz. Since that style of music is more appreciated by the youth, we put them in the kid’s hour. We did have many comments on how anointed their message was and so we’ve invited them back again.

Face painting has also been something we’ve done for many years. The kids really enjoy having their faces look like tigers or dogs, princesses or Spiderman! Emily is now the resident “Face Painter” and will sit for hours to make sure every kid can get their face painted.

Teenagers enjoy the day as well. It’s a great place where they can “hang out” with their friends and listen to some good music.

Overall, it’s a great day for the whole family!