Annual children’s festival a big hit

The Allan & Jean Millar Centre was the site of the two-day Children’s Festival last Friday and Saturday. The kids were kept busy with many activity stations that were set up throughout the fieldhouse. The expressions on many of the children’s faces were ones of total amazement as they ran from station to station not knowing which activity they wanted to try first.

There was something for everyone including coloring, crafts, and the Lego table. For smaller children, the bubble station was a hit as the bubbles ranged from round ones to huge oblong shapes.

It was hard to gauge which performer captured the children’s attention the most. They were in awe as Peter Puffin with his guitar, story-telling, and singing had the crowd going. The 30-minute performance with Safari Jeff allowed children and parents a rare opportunity to see and touch some exotic reptiles. Children got up close to Julias, the boa constrictor, the snapping turtle, the iguanas, the tortoise, and the lizards.

Both days’ events closed with the headliner Circus Kalabanate. It was called the Children’s Festival, but adults were also amazed. The African dancers performed with native music, dancing, drumming, and skilled acrobatics. Crowds watched female performers with colourful outfits bend and twist their bodies in all directions. The male performers dressed in their African attire showed their strength and moves to the sounds of beating drums.

The weekend festival proved successful with residents and visitors bonding and participating in a family outing.