A Gainesville organization will be featured as one of the state’s top stops for kids on a Georgia Public Broadcast program airing Friday night.

The Interactive Neighborhood for Kids, located at the Featherbone Communiversity, is one of a handful of kid-friendly places given a segment on the “Kids Tour of Georgia” show.

INK Executive Director Sheri Hooper said when the host of the program visited last summer with his 2-year-old, she knew it was good news when the toddler did not want to leave the site’s exhibits.

“We had a hard time with him leaving that day because you always have fun at INK,” Hooper said. “We feel very, very lucky to be highlighted in (the show).”

The nonprofit organization features about 20 different exhibits each constructed as miniature businesses, some of which are Gainesville staples such as the Northeast Georgia Medical Center, the Jane Green Beauty Salon and J & J Foods grocery store.

After spending the day immersed in the different environments, Hooper said the hope is that children will learn to enjoy working early in their lives.

“We want to hopefully influence them to find a career they can be extremely passionate about when they grow up,” she said.
More families have been drawn to INK in lieu of taking expensive destination vacations, according to Hooper.

“We saw attendance go up in field trips and families because most people didn’t vacation this past year,” she said.

Admission is $8 and year memberships are available for families of four for $99.

The show will air at 9 p.m. Friday with repeat airings on Feb. 20 at 7 p.m. and Feb. 24 at 7:30 p.m.