Children flocked to the 35th International Children's Festival of the Arts this week. The festival began on Tuesday and wraps up today with an extra special finale variety show at 7 p.m.
Children flocked to the 35th International Children's Festival of the Arts this week.
The festival began on Tuesday and wraps up today with an extra special finale variety show at 7 p.m.
Tents were scattered on the grass along the Sturgeon River, surrounded by droves of children accompanied by their parents or in school groups. Children could be seen running and playing. The sounds of their joy could be heard from every corner of the festival.
This year, children could choose to take part in a wide variety of activities such as Viking weaving, Chinese calligraphy, and papermaking. There were also a number of short entertaining and educational shows to choose from. Children loved the airbrush tattoos and the snacks provided by food trucks and other food vendors, but the main attractions were the mesmerizing feature performances.
Teagan and Tearin McKeigue, five-year-old twins, attended a Gizmo Guys performance on Wednesday. Teagan said she loved the juggling.
The twins agreed that they were having a fabulous time at the festival. They were on their way to the food vendors and couldn't wait to munch on some sugary cotton candy.
Three young girls, Jorja Grist, Emily Corman and Payton Beek, were part of a group enjoying the festivities. The girls were very enthusiastic while explaining everything they had seen at the festival. All three were amazed by the Afrique en Cirque acrobatic performance they witnessed.
“It was so cool, they were just flipping around everywhere,” said Grist.
The girls had just left the artists' chairs in the airbrush tattoo tent. They were impressed with the artwork on their skin. Each tattoo was a fun design that popped with bright colours.
The children were unanimous in choosing a performance of Epic?! as their most favourite. The Journey, an interactive show guided by improv artists, was the highlight.
This year's children's festival was a fantastic event where children could interact with each other, witness entertaining performances and participate in activities that challenged their hands and their minds. It was very focused on encouraging children to experience all aspects of the arts. Each tent at the festival featured something completely different. Even on the trails outside the tents performers could be spotted wearing costumes or dancing to music.
“Everyone should come (to the festival),” said Grist, giving the event a child's stamp of approval.
