The sun’s coveted appearance is adding pep to everyone’s step, no more so than at the Northern Alberta International Children’s Festival on the banks of the Sturgeon River and Lions Park where a magical tent city is mushrooming this weekend.
It’s that carnival-like time of year when imported stages are being cobbled together, inflatable castles are pumped full of air and a track is cleared for Little Obie, the CN train in anticipation of the 60,000 visitors that will flood the site from May 26 to 30.
“The sun has taken so long to come out, but now that it’s here we’re very excited,” says festival director Nancy Abrahamson.
This year the festival has also entered a float in the Rainmaker Rodeo parade. In keeping with the festival’s theme Explore the World, the float is a huge globe carried on a flatbed. “And we’ll be handing out globes to everyone during the parade.”
Abrahamson explained that the float is a contribution from the Friends of the International Children’s Festival. “They wanted to help in some way. They took the lead on it and off they went and did it.”
The festival continues its Seniors’ Tuesdays on May 26 where main stage tickets for anyone over 65 years are two for the price of one. “Interestingly enough a lot of people didn’t take advantage of it. They need to get their heads around it that they can enjoy themselves as much as children. Hopefully they will take advantage of it this year.”
Organizers have brought in nine main stage shows. The only sold out show is St. Albert Children’s Theatre’s Oink. For the other shows, about 70 per cent of tickets have been snapped up.
In addition, the roving site artists seem to increase each year. Two spectacular new site artists are Walking Tree Man, a 12-foot stilt walking, three-dimensional animated tree. And High Strung Aerial, stationed at St. Albert Place plaza, will combine dance and high-flying aerial acrobatics.
Behind the scenes volunteer manager Nina Browton still needs about 100 volunteers as activity assistants and in hospitality. “Festival volunteers can come down to the site. If they are over 18, they can register. If they are under 18 they must come down with a parent or provide parental approval.”
Hours are Tuesday to Thursday 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Friday 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. St. Albert Transit provides a free Park and Ride service from St. Albert Centre. For more information visit www.childfest.com.
