Close to 5,000 people turned up for last year’s Salmon Arm Children’s Festival, drawn by the games, music and delicious food.
This year’s event takes place today — Canada Day — from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Salmon Arm North Fairgrounds.
“The festival organizers have mandated that this festival be a free event so that all children and families in the area may enjoy a celebration of Canadian heritage,” said Karen Bubola, one of the chairpersons of the festival.
Included in the 2011 festivities is a Main Stage featuring local musician Jeanetti Spaghetti, children’s entertainers The Kerplunks from Vancouver Island, Tickles and Family Clowns from the Lower Mainland and winding up the music at the end of the day will be Cod Gone Wild, a rambunctious modern Celtic rock band, based out of the Okanagan.The “cods” have melded four veteran musicians from diverse musical backgrounds to create an edgy version of traditional, contemporary and original Celtic, Irish and Newfoundland music.
Other free activities include several inflatable bouncey houses, a dance exhibition by local dance studios, stories by James Murray, a 4H small animal display, plus lots of arts and activity tents.
The 50-cent games will also be on-site including the ever popular fish pond, tattoo parlour and wacky hair salon! Every child gets one free ticket on entry, and if they are wearing red, they get a bonus ticket.
“We have lots of food vendors lined up to offer a variety of choices for all ages,” said Bubola. “Hot dogs, hamburgers, pizza, samosas, ice cream and more will be available.
The entire festival is put on through the support of local organizations and businesses, including main sponsor the Salmon Arm Rotary Club.
For more information, see the website at www.sachildrensfest.com
