As part of its mission to offer community events and arts programming for both adults and kids, the Chilliwack Community Arts Council is hosting its annual two-day Chilliwack Children’s Arts Festival on Sept. 22 - 23.
The event is focussed on giving kids an opportunity to get creative, and enjoy some live entertainment while they’re at it. “It’s just a lot of fun,” says Patti Lawn, Chilliwack Community Arts Council executive director. “It’s a great way to spend the day, or the Friday night.”
“The best part of the Saturday is the kids just need to bring their parents,” Lawn says. “It’s kind of nice that you can go to an event where the parents are free … they have a good time.”
Here are just a few other reasons why the Chilliwack Children’s Arts Festival will make for a colourful weekend:
- Fun for kids. As suggested by its name, the festival is all about hands-on fun for children. “It’s the basis of what we tried to do,” says Lawn. “We created an opportunity to do some things kids wouldn’t normally have access to.” That includes a variety of arts and crafts, and wearable art such as face painting and Henna tattoos.
- A green theme. The theme of this year’s festival is all about recycling and respecting the environment. As such, Lawn says all the art is made with found objects and recycled material. “Art is about creating and thinking outside the box,” she explains. “Using recycled and found material helps children see the magic it can become.”
- Magical entertainment. As if getting to play with a bevy of arts and crafts wasn’t enough, the first night of the festival will include the Marvellous MagicShow2Go, featuring award-winning entertainer Matt Johnson. “He’s a very well-known magician,” says Lawn. “He has a really fun personality, and has a lot of fun with what he’s doing.” Keep an eye out for him at the festival on Saturday; he’ll be doing balloon-twisting for attendees all day as the Cool Balloon Guy.
- Living happily ever after. The festival will also feature some royal guests, as the Ever After Princess Party brings the Snow Queen, Ice Princess, Island Princess, Rapunzel and her Prince, and Pirate Jack and Pirate Jenny to the Tzeachten Community Centre for a pirate show and sing-a-long.
What you need to know: The Chilliwack Children’s Art Festival will take place at the Tzeachten Community Centre on 45855 Promontory Rd. (next to Save-On Foods). Admission for the Marvellous MagicShow2Go on Friday, Sept. 22, is $10/person. Admission to the festival on Saturday, Sept. 23, is $10/child or $35/group of four children; parents get free admission when accompanied by a child. Visit online for more information on this and other upcoming Chilliwack Arts Council events.
