Macaroni Soup's Miss Carole Joins Pumpkins for a Cure Lineup of Saturday Kid-Friendly Events

"If you teach with enthusiasm, they will learn with enthusiasm."

That's the philosophy of Carole Stephens, the phenomenal early childhood music specialist who's hosting "Macaroni Soup!" at 11 a.m. Saturday on the Campbell Street stage for the 2012 Pumpkins for a Cure Festival in downtown Geneva.

Dubbed "the Pied Piper of children's music," Stephens is a nationally renowned music specialist. Her cross-curricular music and guidance techniques instantly invite all audiences from the youngest child to the oldest adult to join in singing, dancing and rhythmic movement.

Her six CDs are favorites with early childhood teachers and parents, winning the Parents’ Choice, NAPPA, I-Parenting Media, Creative Child and Children’s Music Web Awards.

"Miss Carole" created music classes to meet the needs of her two children, who are now twentysomethings. Under the "Macaroni Soup" title, she's been providing musical entertainment and education for children 1 to 10 years old internationally since 1989.

And, of course, Macaroni Soup is one of many kid-friendly activities at the 2012 Pumpkins for a Cure. Just a few of the Saturday events include:

• 9 a.m. —Free Kid’s Giveaways at Go West Young Mom booth - Courthouse Lawn
• 11 a.m. — Carol Stevens Macaroni Soup - Campbell Street Stage
• 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Kid’s Raffle - Courthouse Lawn Apple Raffle - Courthouse Lawn Allstate Tent
• 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Pony Rides Behind the Courthouse Petting Zoo - Courthouse Lawn
• 12 p.m. — Free Hotdogs (hotdogs will be available until they run out) - Campbell Street
• 12 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. — Story Time featuring The Littlest Pumpkin by RA Harmon and read by Diane Clark - Campbell Street Stage 
• 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. — Haunted Hay Ride featuring stories by Donna Latham - Third Street Pete the Scarecrow twists balloons - Campbell Street in front of Country Naturals Face Painting - Courthouse Lawn
• 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. — Professional Pumpkin Carver Marc Solomon - Campbell Street Stage 
• 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. — Professional Pumpkin Carver Marc Solomon - Graham’s Chocolate

This is a chance for the kids to dress in costume, pick out a pumpkin, do a little early Halloween celebration and have a great time in downtown Geneva.

Procedes go to the Zellmer Childhood Disease Foundation. For more information or to make a donation, visit the ZCDF website.

Patch is a media sponsor of the 2012 Pumpkins for a Cure.