Kids Entertainment Series: A Summer Hit

Rich Rothstein mesmerised more than three dozen children with his magic tricks at Recreation Park in Plantsville Tuesday evening and then Bruce John got them all dancing.

It's just another Tuesday summer night at the park, where the Kid's Entertainment Series continues to provide smiles and opportunities for family entertainment.

"This is great. It's not just the kids who are into it — the performers get the parents involved too," said local resident and first-time attendee Jodi Wolf. "It's just fun, and it's a great program to have in the community.

The free program, which is offered in July and August each year, runs weekly from 6 - 8 p.m., regardless of weather, and has continued to grow in recent years, said event organizer Jerry Limmer.

Limmer said the program was created by Southington resident Stuart Estra, who noticed children often running in front of the stage at the town's summer concert series "Music on the Green."

"When we started, the events were held at a different site each week, but we've found a home here at Recreation Park," Limmer said. "It's certainly grown and we continue to see new people each week."

Tuesday's entertainment included a magic and comedy show from Rothstein, who goes by the stage name "Mr. Magic" and a variety of family-oriented songs and children's music from Storrs resident Bruce John.

The duo entertained families for the entire two hours, with most in attendence staying through the duration of the program.

"My goal is always to see smiles; to achieve results," said Rothstein, an attorney from Norwich who puts his daytime seriousness away to play these types of shows at night. "When others are happy, it makes me happy."