Youngsters ‘Let it Go’ at Modesto ‘Frozen’ singalong

They came dressed to the Elsas. And, here and there, an Anna and an Olaf.

A packed-to-capacity crowd of more than 500 came out Saturday afternoon for the “Frozen” singalong at the State Theatre in downtown Modesto. The event celebrated the popular animated Disney movie from 2013 about two princess sisters, one with magical powers to freeze things.

This is the second year the State has held the “Frozen” event, but it’s the first time it has sold out. The crowd of young fans, many of them dressed as their favorite characters from the film, came eager to watch and sing – despite most of them having seen the 2013 movie multiple times before.

“I’ve seen it, like, 100 times,” said 6-year-old Jennavieve Jewell of Modesto, who came with her Elsa tiara on ready to belt out the tunes. “I like Elsa because she’s really funny. And on the end she sings really loud, and I’m a loud kid in my house. So I’m excited.”

Elsa was a crowd favorite with dozens and dozens of young girls dressed in her signature ice-blue gown and a few even sporting her ice-blonde single braid.

But 4-year-old Reid Bullard came dressed as Olaf, the film’s lovable and often bumbling snowman. His mother, Turlock resident Nicole Bullard, said that, like many kids, Reid has been a big fan of the movies for a while now. Last Christmas he wanted an Elsa doll, and this Halloween he went trick-or-treating as Olaf.

“I’m glad he could use the costume again for this,” she said.

For those who missed out on the State Theatre’s singalong, another chance to let it go is coming to the Central Valley next month. Turlock’s Carnegie Arts Center will host its own “Frozen” singalong on Dec. 18 as part of its ongoing Family Friday series. The event is billed as a holiday pajama party, so guests are invited to come in sleepwear or costumes and enjoy warm cocoa, cookies and popcorn during the screenings. The Carnegie festivities begin at 7 p.m and are free.

This story was originally published November 28, 2015 at 4:22 PM with the headline "Youngsters ‘Let it Go’ at Modesto ‘Frozen’ singalong."