Lots going on at Festival of Children at South Coast Plaza

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Guest walk by Withee Malcolm Architects, LLP’s Canstruction sculpture “Fighting Hunger Madders” during the opening day of the annual Festival of Children at South Coast Plaza on Saturday. (Scott Smeltzer / Daily Pilot )

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Brendan Bergara, 4, from Burbank plays with Legos during the opening day of the annual Festival of Children at South Coast Plaza on Saturday. (Scott Smeltzer / Daily Pilot )

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Kids play with Legos during opening day of the annual Festival of Children at South Coast Plaza on Saturday. (Scott Smeltzer / Daily Pilot )

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Students from Euro Gymnastics perform during the opening day of the Festival of Children on Saturday. (Scott Smeltzer / Daily Pilot )

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Guests take photos of Little Diversified Architectural Consulting’s Castruction sculpture “Can FÜd Panda, Fighting The Forces Of Hunger!” on Saturday. (Scott Smeltzer / Daily Pilot )

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Carson Tran checks out Disneyland’s Canstruction sculpture, “Togther We Can Turn Hunger Inside Out!” at the opening day of the annual Festival of Children at South Coast Plaza Saturday. (Scott Smeltzer / Daily Pilot )

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Guests look at the the Canstruction sculpture by Jeffrey Rome & Associates titled “Celebrate Life On A Full Stomach!” during opening day of the annual Festival of Children at South Coast Plaza on Saturday.

(Scott Smeltzer / Daily Pilot )

By Daily Pilot staff

Sept. 3, 2016 7:17 PM PT

Visitors to South Coast Plaza on Saturday were able to get their faces painted, build with Legos and watch musical and magical performances as part of the annual Festival of Children.

The goal of the 15th annual charity outreach event, sponsored by the Festival of Children Foundation, is to raise awareness of children’s charities, more than 75 of which are participating this year. The festival runs weekends through Sept. 25.

Along with performances, visitors can survey “Canstruction OC,” a series of structures made entirely of canned goods that will be donated to the Orange County Food Bank once the festival is over.

The event is held in conjunction with National Child Awareness Month, which also is led by the Festival of Children Foundation to focus attention on issues facing children.

For a full schedule of festival events or for more information, visit festivalofchildren.org. All events are free and open to the public.