Green Fools will be the too-tall stars of the 32nd annual International Children's Festival, the lofty stiltwalkers gliding through the crowd.
And they return May 28 to June 1 garbed in quirky robes and masks plucked straight out of imagination's crevices. More than eight feet tall, the dramatic characters – flighty fairies, flamboyant bohemians and goofy animals – plan to impress and engage.
"We like to turn it into a stilt dance party. We're here to have fun," says Green Fools' artistic director Dean Bareham.
For the five-day event hosted in St. Albert's downtown core, the 23-year-old Calgary-based company is exhibiting six stiltwalkers rotating a flotilla of 25 character costumes.
"One of the things that sets us apart is that we're not just there stiltwalking. We have trained actors that are in the field. We like to do one-on-one and then there's the improvisational element. We always make sure we interact and have conversations," Bareham said.
Unlike the main stage shows, in which artists are at a distance, the festival's roving site artists – strategically placed throughout the grounds – create special private moments and memories.
What child would not shriek in delight at being frightened by a stock-still human statue bursting into life or being chased by a smelly troll, or sipping tea with a person-sized frog?
Tickets selling
Over the course of the festival there are 10 main-stage attractions with local, national and international artists coming from Australia, Senegal, Germany, the Netherlands, Surinam, Turkey, Venezuela, the United States and Canada.
One production, the St. Albert Children's Theatre version of Disney's The Little Mermaid, is already sold out. To date, nearly 20,000 of the available 31,600 tickets are off the market.
For families wanting to drop by on Friday and Saturday, marketing co-ordinator Troy Funk suggests purchasing a wristband. They are $15 for adults and $10 for children.
First introduced last year as a test case, the wristbands allow the wearer to experience any site activities and main stage shows that have unsold seats.
"It's for those people that want to come down on a whim and have an unplanned day. If you plan it right, you could see three main stage shows," Funk said.
A limited number of wristbands were ordered – 300 for Friday and Saturday each.
"Last year we sold out. We had a lot of popular shows and there was a big demand. This year we've added extra shows," he said.
In addition to the main stage shows, the wristbands entitle wearers to attend any number of site activities from a clowning bootcamp and the First Nations friendship dance to Morinville playwright Marty Chan's Myths and Monsters. New this year is Mandala Magic, the creation of geometric patterned circles.
"Kids can contribute to an ongoing project. It's based on geometric designs using different coloured rice."
One activity that's sure to grab the attention of young and old is Enmax's solar powered racing cars, located on the front plaza of St. Albert Place. And Funk also expects long lineups for Obie, the CN Train that loads outside the curling rink and takes its passengers for a ride through Lions Park.
Harried parents with children under five can take refuge in Toddler Town, a tranquil respite from festival noise and confusion. Toddler Town is a specially tented nurturing environment with an entertainment area, play area, craft area and a diaper change area. There is also a quiet space for nursing moms.
A festival within a festival, it features storytelling, musical performances, tumbling mats, hula hoops and books from the St. Albert Public Library.
"It's been hugely popular. This year we've increased the stroller parking," Funk said. He estimated about 250 little tykes with their parents used Toddler Town last year.
Tuesday is Grandparents and Seniors Day and main stage tickets are two for the price of one. On Saturday, a public pancake breakfast starts at 9 a.m. in front of St. Albert Place.
"There's no reason why this shouldn't be the most wonderful time of the year," Funk said. "There's something for everybody, and there's a show or activity you will remember for a long time. So carve out some family time and come down."
Parking is limited. Visitors are encouraged to use park-and-ride available at the St. Albert Centre Bus Exchange. Buses depart every 15 minutes between 7:45 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. from Tuesday to Thursday and Saturday. On Friday, park-and-ride operates from 7:45 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
