The International Children’s Festival of the Arts:
Back again for it’s 38th year in a row, this is an event you are going to want to bring the kids to. This festival is packed with fun family entertainment, hands-on workshops for kids of all ages, a toddler section and more.
When & Where:
When: Tuesday, May 28 to Sunday, June 2, 2019
Festival Hours:
- Tuesday to Friday: 9:30am to 3pm
- Saturday & Sunday: 9:30am to 5pm
Where: St. Albert Place – 5 St. Anne Street, St. Albert, AB
Feature Performances:
The Festival offers a diverse lineup of children’s entertainment that is fun for the whole family. Featured performances include:
- Paper Planet: Recycled cardboard and paper are props used to create a make believe world in a forest of fun! Collaborating with the kids to create one-of-a-kind imaginative theatrical experience. (45-60 minutes)
- Nimihitowin: A rare opportunity to experience the Indigenous culture through dance with commentary. (45 minutes)
- Koo Koo Kanga Roo: Dance-along comedy party! (45 minutes)
- Won’ma Africa: Physical storytelling through a colorful creation of daring acrobats, African dance & music. (45 minutes)
- Li Liu: Amazing circus act offering a glimpse into the astounding culture of Chinese acrobats. (45 minutes)
- Honk! Jr: The story of the Ugly Duckling comes to life! Heartwarming & funny celebration of transformation. (60 minutes)
Toddler Town:
Toddler town is made for kids under 4. It is truly a Festival within the Festival! This community inspired one-stop area gives you the full experience for your little one all in one place. Expect to see:
- Storytelling
- Musical performances
- Crafts
- Sensory bins
- Active Fun Zone
- Feature performances
- Puppet production
- & more
There is a quiet area for nursing moms, diaper change area and lots of stroller parking! More detailed info on toddler town can be found here.
Workshops:
Workshops allow kids to experience a variety of visual, literary and performing arts activities with their very own hands. They are the ideal place to learn about and appreciate other cultures. The new line-up of workshops for 2019 include:
- Shazamadoo! Learn from a real magician how to make objects vanish and reappear, to read minds, make predictions & more
- The Great Wall of Stories: Exploring Asian folktales with a humorous kids’ author and playwright
- Fizzlewit’s Fairy Finding Tours: Embark on a magical fairy kingdom adventure with an award-winning performer
- Beyond Bollywood: A creative explosion of cultural music and movement
- Printmaking a Great Impression: Make your own print using a mono-print technique
- Indigenous Peoples’ Experience: Presented by Fort Edmonton Park, you will be stepping back in time to learn what life was like for the First Nation and Metis people of Alberta
- Les Bucherons: French-Canadian history through stories of explorers, dancing to traditional music, play hand-instruments & more
- Dream Weaving: Re-purpose a variety of materials to make your own wall hanging
- Voyageur Canoe Tour: Experience the Sturgeon river on a special weekend workshop along the historic waterway that helped establish the city over 150 years ago.
- Moo-vin To The Rhythm: Interactive discovery of the natural relationship between movement & rhythm.
- Code Quest: Exploring programming language, logic & design. Presented by the U of A DiscoverE initiative
- Discovery in Structure: Kids can create their own personalized collaged house
- The Rush is On! Mineral deposits, exploring rock collections & a scavenger hunt
*Visit the website to confirm available performance times of each*
Other things to do:
- Roving artists – watch for entertainers walking around & engaging with the kids
- TD Outdoor Stage Entertainment – watch for Duffy’s Puppet show & much more!
- Photo Booth – get a print with a fun back drop
- Airbrush Tattoos & Chalk Art – Unique face art & sidewalk chalk stations
- St. Albert Public Library Entertainment – Stories and revolving short films (5-20 minute durations)
- Education Station Play – Build, play & explore
- Timbits Open Art Studio – self-directed and interactive art experience for the kids
- Maze Craze – self-guided maze with secret passages!
- & so much more!
Toonie Pancake Breakfast:
Pancake breakfast for a donation of just $2! Optional add-ons of sausage, juice & coffee and outdoor stage entertainment while you eat!
When: Saturday, June 1 from 9:30 am to 11 am
Where: St. Albert Place Front Plaza
Tickets:
A variety of ticket options are available including one-day passes, 6-day pass deals, or tickets solely for Toddler town (starting at just $10!). Ticket packages, options and links to buy can be found HERE.
*Kids 1 & under are free!
Tips for bringing the kids:
- The Park & Ride to and from the Festival is FREE. Shuttles depart every 15 minutes from the St. Albert Bus Exchange (right beside St. Albert Centre Mall)
- Dress for the weather – the festival is mostly outdoors. Comfortable shoes are a great idea as well, as you can expect quite a bit of walking if you are wanting to explore.
- There will be food trucks on site for hungry tummies!
- The Children’s festival is made to be inclusive. You will find calming areas, ask about inclusion kits equipped with noise and light dampening devices, and sensory considerations are noted in the description of each Feature Performance for reference.
The 2019 Festival is color-coordinated to make it easier for visitors to find their way around. Check out their easy to read, colored map:
Get more information on the festival, locations of performances, Park & Ride and more on the Childfest website.
Love working with children, or know someone 12 or older who does? Consider volunteering for the festival this year! This event would not be possible without it’s many wonderful volunteers. And besides, volunteering looks great on any resume. Get info & sign up here.
This post was sponsored by the City of St. Albert