Two Great Events at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center
San Jose, California, in the heart of the Silicon Valley is home to the McEnery Convention Center. Located on West San Carlos Street in the middle of the city, the McEnery Convention Center hosts a number of big conferences, expos and special events every year. This fall, some of the 425,000 square feet of space will be reserved for the Abilities Expo and the Harvest Festival Original Art & Craft Show. Everyone who attends will learn a little and have a lot of fun.
Abilities Expo
November 16-18, 2012
Projected Attendance: 5,000
Having a disability can certainly make life a little more challenging, but, it should not stop you from participating in activities that make you happy. At the Abilities Expo, the focus is not on what you can not do, but rather, on what you can do. Even those in perfect health have limitations that they must overcome. Admission to the Abilities Expo is free. Attendees will learn, participate and have some fun in this very motivating and inspiring event.
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For more than 30 years, the Abilities Expo has reached out to people with disabilities, families of the disabled, veterans, caregivers and medical professionals. Dedicated volunteers, advocates for the disabled and vendors who provide much needed products and services, help to make the Expo an awesome event every year.
Helping individuals with very serious disabilities, as well as those who have more moderate limitations, is the focus of the three day gathering. Individuals confined to a wheelchair, veterans who have lost a limb or children who have been diagnosed with autism are just a few of the people who are helped by attending the Expo.
Kids are always given a little extra attention. This year, at the free face painting booth, children can turn into pirates or maybe get some whiskers and become a kitty cat. Approved by the FDA, the face paint is harmless and washes off easily with water.
Being in a wheelchair does not mean that you can not have fun and learn to dance. The Wheelchair Dancing Demo and Workshop allows everyone in a manual or motorized wheelchair to participate in the social activity. Once the class gets going, you will see plenty of smiles and hear shouts of joy from the new dancers.
Autistic children often have difficulty relating to other people. An innovative new program called the Horse Boy Method, has been very successful in calming autistic children and getting them to become more social. This therapeutic use of horses is fascinating and should prove to be a very popular part of the Abilities Expo.
This year’s Expo will also feature a number of guest speakers who will discuss topics of interest for those with disabilities. A few of the subjects that will be covered include home modifications for universal access, traveling with disabilities, getting the right wheelchair and being prepared for natural disasters and emergencies.
Harvest Festival Original Art & Craft Show
November 23-25, 2012
After filling up on turkey and all the trimmings on Thursday, you will need to do a little more exercise to shed those pounds you gained. Take your spouse, bring the family or come with your friends to the Harvest Festival Original Art & Craft Show.
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Celebrate the season and have a day full of fun. Browse through the hundreds of artist booths and see the arts and crafts of some very talented people. Maybe you will find a unique piece of hand-crafted jewelry or the perfect painting to hang in your living room.
There will be all types of crafts, jewelry, clothing, photography, original art, hand-turned wood and ceramics. Pick out a Christmas gift or take something home for yourself.
What would such a festive gathering be without great food and music? Visitors can snack on some popcorn or get a sandwich or maybe a hamburger for lunch. Music will be playing as you walk up and down the aisles. In between your shopping, enjoy all of the great entertainment.
John Park, the Funny Waiter
A wonderfully entertaining comedy routine with a waiter who knows how to get laughs. You will see some great skits and watch as the Funny Waiter manages to spin nine plates at the same time on tall, thin sticks.
Tom Rigney and Flambeau
Attendees are in for a real treat as long time Bay Area Cajun and Blues rock artist Tom Rigney and his band put on an energetic show that makes you want to get up and dance. A performer who has a Masters degree from Harvard in Fine Arts, Rigney plays a mean fiddle. In addition to his enormous musical talent, Tom Rigney is also an accomplished visual artist and photographer.
Other Great Entertainers
Washboard Willie – Describing himself as the Pied Piper of rhythm for children of all ages, Washboard Willie uses his washboard along with cowbells, whistles, duck calls and sirens to put on a very entertaining and interactive show.
Fables of the West – A wonderful Cowboy comedy team that puts on a performance that will have you laughing until your sides hurt.
Mama Claus & Eddie the Elf Mama will not reveal her age, but, she puts on a fantastic and very entertaining comedy and music show.
Topping off the Day
When you attend the Harvest Festival, you will have a chance to win some great prizes. You might win an Amazon Kindle Fire or get something nice at the daily Grab Bag drawing.
More information about San Jose Abilities Expo and San Jose Harvest Festival
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