Quesnel Children’s Festival serves up free family fun

Dottie Entwistle, 4, plays with bubbles at the Quesnel Children’s Festival. (Rebecca Dyok photo — Quesnel Cariboo Observer)Dottie Entwistle, 4, plays with bubbles at the Quesnel Children’s Festival. (Rebecca Dyok photo — Quesnel Cariboo Observer)
Emilio Reynoso, 7, Angelina Jorquera and Ethan Reynoso, 2, had their faces painted into lions at the Quesnel Children’s Festival. (Rebecca Dyok photo — Quesnel Cariboo Observer)Emilio Reynoso, 7, Angelina Jorquera and Ethan Reynoso, 2, had their faces painted into lions at the Quesnel Children’s Festival. (Rebecca Dyok photo — Quesnel Cariboo Observer)
Among the many children attending the Quesnel Children’s Festival was 13-month-old Elodie Potvin. (Rebecca Dyok photo — Quesnel Cariboo Observer)Among the many children attending the Quesnel Children’s Festival was 13-month-old Elodie Potvin. (Rebecca Dyok photo — Quesnel Cariboo Observer)
Renna Pollock, 2, spent some time inside a fire truck on display at the Quesnel Children’s Festival on Saturday, May 28 at LeBourdais Park. (Rebecca Dyok photo — Quesnel Observer)Renna Pollock, 2, spent some time inside a fire truck on display at the Quesnel Children’s Festival on Saturday, May 28 at LeBourdais Park. (Rebecca Dyok photo — Quesnel Observer)

It was no ordinary Saturday for children and families at LeBourdais Park.

The Quesnel Children’s Festival was held Saturday, May 28, with no-cost learning activities, face painting, gift bags, prizes and entertainment by Bollywood dance star Karima Essa, Smartee Pants the Magic Clown, Amanda O’Leary, and the Quesnel Ambassador Society.

There was also free bannock, fruit kababs, Panago pizza and cookies made by an anonymous donor in memory of children who never returned home from residential school or were killed in American school shootings.

The Quesnel and District Community Arts Council (QDCAC) was among the organizations assisting with the festival, supported by provincial and federal funding.

Read More: Recovery funding announced for future events in Quesnel and Wells

“We had such a fantastic day there,” said QDCAC president Cathy Heinzelman, noting the pandemic had delayed the festival.

Throughout the day, Heinzelman helped monitor the long line up to the inflatable crawl through caterpillar tunnel that was nestled beside a bouncy castle.

While there was no official count, Heinzelman guesses that over 1,000 people took part.

A video of the Quesnel Children’s Festival is hoped to be posted to the QDCAC’s Youtube channel in the coming days.

Heinzelman said they would be seeking to reapply for funding to present it again next year with the Quesnel Early Learning Table and many local partners.

Read More: CNC students celebrate National Child Day

Do you have something to add to this story, or something else we should report on? Email: rebecca.dyok@quesnelobserver.com



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