An old favourite for the little ones, the Children's Arts Festival returns this year.
The festival was held for a few years in the late 80s as a four-day event, and was very well-attended but difficult to coordinate and finance.
"It became a natural fit to bring the festival back for children this year, now that we have the means to do so," explains Patti Lawn, executive director at the Chilliwack Arts Council.
On September 19, the grounds of G.W. Graham School will be transformed into an artistic child's dreamland.
Kids of all ages are invited to enjoy "imagination stations" to fuel their creativity. Kids will create all sorts of refrigerator arts and crafts using paints, chalk, coloured papers and other mediums.
In addition to the make-and-takes, guests can leave their mark in collaborative arts projects, including a clay installation piece and a chalk mandala, says Stephanie Brubaker, coordinator at the Chilliwack Arts Council.
For those who want to express art to a beat, kids can enjoy a variety of dance workshops throughout the day (including jazz, hip-hop and more), hosted by Evolutionz Dance Studio.
The big event of the festival is the 11 a.m. live acrobatics stage show by CircusWest, a well-known Vancouver circus training and performing arts society.
The Purple Pirate will also be performing his highly-interactive, comedic show "Treasures of the Sea." Kids will learn the value of being kind and sharing the hidden treasures we find. "We're going to laugh, dance and do magic together," says the Purple Pirate himself.
"Our staff and volunteers are busy getting prepared to present live professional performances and numerous art activities that will delight all family members on this one day event!" says Lawn.
As they travel between art stations and performances, guests can interact and take pictures with the roving characters, Ever After Princesses, and the towering stilt-walkers.
Without giving away all of the surprises, Brubaker notes that "face-painting, balloons, live music, henna and more" will be available for everyone to enjoy.
Hunger won't slow you down at this festival - stop by the various food trucks, including Dougie Dogs, Stolovaya, and The Tin Cow ice cream for a delicious bite to eat.
The rain-or-shine event takes places Saturday, September 19 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at G.W. Graham School (45955 Thomas Road).
Tickets are $8 each (or $28 for four) and can be purchased online at ChilliwackArtsCouncil.com or at 20-5725 Vedder Road.
The CircusWest show has an additional $5 admission fee.
The event is presented by the Chilliwack Community Arts Council and their partners. Volunteers are encouraged to apply for this event.