Geared toward children under 8 years of age, the festival will feature music, pony rides, sack races, a kids' leaf stomp, country fair games, children's crafts, face painting and a "down home" bake sale.

"I am always impressed how much families enjoy being in a safe place and know that there are activities their children can do with a minimal of adult supervision," said Barbara J. Hill, the center's director. "The festival always seems like a good day, everyone always has smiles on their faces."

The festival will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. in the center's Lab School play yard at 18330 Halsted St. in Northridge. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for children and children 2 years and younger are free.

For more information, call (818) 677-3131.

The Lab School, which serves preschool and kindergarten children, and the center are part of Northridge's Department of Family and Consumer Sciences. They are dedicated to fostering the growth and development of the whole child as well as forming a partnership with the child's family. The school also serves as a learning environment for CSUN students interested in working with children.

California State University, Northridge has 33,000 full- and part-time students and offers 61 bachelor's and 42 master's degrees as well as 28 education credential programs. Founded in 1958, it is the only four-year university in the San Fernando Valley and the fourth largest in the 23-campus CSU system. The university serves as the intellectual, economic and cultural heart of the Valley and beyond.