Wonder Works' annual free kids festival, Wonderfest, has combined efforts with the Cooper River Bridge Run to create one of the largest children's events in the Lowcountry.

Set for Hampton Park on Friday, April 5, the day before the Cooper River Bridge Run, the 2013 Kids Run & Wonderfest is expected to draw thousands of children and families from across the Lowcountry and beyond for a day of exercise, games, toys and activities to raise money for four local children’s charities: Hugs for Harper, Happy Wheels, Abby’s Friends and Keys for Hope. Mayor Joe Riley helped make the announcement yesterday, July 2, in his Charleston City Hall chambers to the four children’s charities that will be involved in this event along with the talented children that participated in Wonderfest this past June.

“There are no words to describe how excited the Wonder Works team is for this amazing event partnership! We are anticipating the biggest and most magical kid’s event in Charleston and beyond,” said Wonder Works Owner, Christine Osborne. “We are tremendously grateful for the amazing support the Kids Run will provide for the charities Wonderfest supports. This event will be memorable for all parties involved.”

Wonder Works hosted its first ever Wonderfest in 2011 as a summer kick-off celebration which grew to draw over 4,000 parents and children in 2012. Held behind the Wonder Works’ West Ashley location in the St. Andrews Shopping Center, Wonderfest provided a full day of free fun for families to enjoy each year. Wonderfest celebrates the talent of children in the Lowcountry while supporting ‘kids for a cause’ – children who have created charities to raise money for causes they are passionate about.

The addition of Wonderfest will bring a multitude of new activities to the Kids Run including child entrepreneurs displaying their products, child entertainers and musical acts, top national toy manufactures displaying the summer’s hottest toys, a Wonder Works toy play zone with the store’s most popular toys, games and gadgets, and a free toy for every child in attendance.

The Kids Run will maintain all of its kid-friendly activities including face painting, mask making, a jump castle and slide, mad science, caricatures, rec ground games, a petting zoo, pony rides, food vendors, singing and will of course end the day with a Kids Race around the park.

Julian Smith, Executive Director of The Cooper River Bridge Run said, “When I attended Wonderfest last month I knew instantly it was a perfect fit for the Kids Run.”  He added, “The event placed a shining spotlight on so many children in this community engaged as entrepreneurs, entertainers and philanthropists. It was inspiring. We’re thrilled to have Wonder Works and Wonderfest officially join the Cooper River Bridge Run festivities.”

To see more pictures from this announcement with Mayor Riley, please click here.