Crestview Kids Fair to feature Power Ranger, live action

MarkAnthony Baca, pictured with a Walker Elementary student March 31, said the Crestview Kids Fair will include live-action performances and a cosplay contest. [Okaloosa County School District | Special to the News Bulletin]

CRESTVIEW — The Crestview Kids Fair will provide fun activities and an opportunity to meet a Power Ranger. But that's just on the surface; the event teaches a lesson about bullying.

The fair, which is 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 10 at the Crestview Community Center, features Steve Cardenas, who portrayed the Red Power Ranger on TV and MarkAnthony Baca, a stuntman and actor. Baca's work includes Power Rangers and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles stunts, as well as credits for "Divergent," "Allegiant" and "Kickboxer 4: The Aggressor."

Live-action performances, cosplay and live-action roleplay contests are part of the event. It also includes bounce houses, face painting, ninja games and door prizes.

"There will be free autographed photos while supplies last," Baca said.

As CEO of Guardian Anti-Bullying Campaign Inc., Baca and Blake Foster, the original Blue Turbo Power Ranger, visited Walker Elementary School in March. They performed martial arts moves and presented information on leadership and how to persevere against bullying.

Further information will be presented during the kids fair, hopefully the first of many.

"I look forward to doing a lot of things for kids here in this area when I am not filming or on tour with the Ninja Turtles," Baca said. "We've been doing this program here in Crestview because people are saying there's nothing to do here in Crestview. I want to bring things here (and) make things happen, so parents don't have to drive all the way to Fort Walton Beach and Destin."

In addition to the kids fair, Baca has scheduled a Crestview convention for comics fans. Con-X is Sept. 29, Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 at the Crestview Community Center. The convention includes 12 celebrity guests and a stunt demonstration Sept. 30 at the Crestview Amphitheater on Stillwell Boulevard. More information will be provided at a later date. 

"If it goes well, we'll keep doing it every year right here in Crestview," he said.

For advance tickets to the Crestview Kids Fair, email guardianbully@yahoo.com or text 850-812-1676.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview Kids Fair to feature Power Ranger, live action