It will be a wildly fun day for children in Parksville’s Community Park Aug. 10.
Kidfest is returning from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. that day with live stage entertainment, roving acts, and a slew of field activities including a bouncy farm for toddlers, a bouncy horse race track and an inflatable Wipe Out challenge game for older kids, among other entertainment.
The roving acts include The Wizard and the Enchantress with juggling and balloon twisting, VestFire Entertainment with circus and magic, and Mad Science which will launch a rocket at around 1:30 p.m.
“We’re focused on more of a variety show with the entertainers this year,” said Kidfest chair Heather Mahony. “So we’re not just focusing on music but trying to entertain all ages.”
Renowned children’s entertainers The Kerplunks will be headlining the music stage. The three-time Juno nominated band has performed around Canada at music festivals, theatres and schools. The four-piece band plays a multitude of instruments, cranking out upbeat numbers which will get the whole family up and engaged.
Que Bola? Magic & Comedy will put on a grand show for spectators and Ian Johnstone will return with his songs and stories drawing on the imagination of everyone in the crowd.
Popular local group Kumbana Marimba will also perform at Kidfest along with the Kidfest choir, the culmination of a kids summer singing camp.
There will be over 20 community booths for children to check out and enjoy including the SOS which will have playdough, bubbles and tattoos and Tow-Skim where parents or kids can pull each other along the beach.
“They are offering free tries and we’re excited about that, apparently it worked really well for Canada Day,” said Mahony.
The majority of the day is free, including the community booths, the stage music and the roving entertainment, and for the field activities a wrist band for $5 will allow for unlimited play.
Beachfest will be happening in conjunction with Kidfest in Community Park. Children at Kidfest have the opportunity to make their own castles in a competition and can sign up for the Quality Foods Children’s Sandcastle Competition online or on the morning of the event.
Although Kidfest nearly ended last year due to lack of volunteers, a group of mostly new members stepped up to take on the challenge and continue the long-standing event.
“The event was going to die and we wanted to make sure that this family-oriented event stayed alive and really allowed people to celebrate being a family and having all of these things in one central area and as low cost as possible,” said Mahony.
A number of food vendors will be on-site at the event.
There are a number of local businesses and organizations sponsoring parts of the event and more sponsors are still being requested to create some other free events for children.
The Kidfest committee is encouraging people to leave all pets at home for the event.
For more information visit www.kidfest.ca.
