KAWARTHA LAKES-Handley Lumber KidsFest is the Kawarthas’ Free Family Fun Fair, which takes place at Maryboro Lodge Museum and Garnet Graham Park Fenelon Falls on Labour Day weekend: August 29 to 31, 10 am to 5 pm daily.
“It is awesome,” remarks Kolby Cox.
KidsFest is an end of summer party inspired by the region’s historical contributions to making childhoods magical. For a generation, Fenelon Falls’ Allen Wood Products produced many of the wooden toys that Canadian children grew up playing with—including Tinkertoys, abacuses, baseball bats, doll furniture and bingo beds (pounding benches). Crayola has long been part of the local business scene. Who doesn’t have a fond memory involving Kawartha Dairy? Many of the activities were inspired by these local stories.
“There are A LOT of activities,” explains Dixon Levett. Sasha Austin Scollick adds “There is a little bit of everything from a kid’s point of view. There are crafts, there are sports, there are learning activities, they stand in a bubble, dress up, or even watch a movie if they don’t want to be outside.” Most of the activities were made locally, and many of them are actually one of a kind. Where else can you go to Be a Rockstar!, Launch a Rocket, wear a snake, build a boat, make psychedelic art, use a shooting gallery or compete in silly carnival games. Mista Banana Balloona Mana will be on site twisting fire breathing dragons, flowers, T-Rexes, helicopters, and just about anything you can dream up from balloons.
“I love how it brings the community together and inspires imaginative play,” says Alexis Wilson. Many of the activities at Handley Lumber KidsFest are simple, “my favourite thing was to play ping pong with my cousin,” Sasha explains. There is something very special that happens when thousands of kids come together to learn play and have fun together. “My favourite part is talking to all the people who come and seeing their excitement—that’s what I love about KidsFest,” Kolby articulates.
Feature activities include Pony Rides, a bouncy castle, Zoo to You, Browning Reptiles and turtles. Visitors can get their face painted, sit to have their caricature drawn, launch a catapult, put marbles through a giant maze, play ski ball or try their hand at Crazy Golf. There are so many activities, that truly they cannot all be listed. Cale Griffin says, “I like that there are so many different ways to have fun.”
Handley Lumber KidsFest is a special celebration for many young local musicians, because it is their chance to perform for the community. The event features a performance by Washboard Hank, but most of the musicians performing are local youth. Inspired 2 Dance will also put on a show. There is something special about youth performances—their joy and enthusiasm.
Maryboro Lodge Museum and Garnet Graham Park are a great location for summer festivities—the site features a beach park, splash pad, playground, the Victoria Rail Trail, and overlooks Cameron Lake. “It is a very pleasant place to be,” Sasha notes. “There is the breeze off the lake, you are surrounded by nature, and you are not in the hot sun, there is the shade from all the trees. There is a serenity to being beside the lake.” It is a short walk to the shops and restaurants of downtown Fenelon Falls, the waterfalls and the locks.
Handley Lumber KidsFest is an accessible event, and many of the activities have been specifically designed for accessibility. It is a free event, so anyone can attend. There are both outdoor and indoor activities. “It is an event where you can be silly,” Cale says. Alexis elaborates, “It is magical, full of energy, exciting and an unforgettable celebration that you don’t want to miss.”
For more information on Handley Lumber KidsFest see:
https://maryboro.ca/events/kidsfest/
This story is part of our partnership with Maryboro Lodge, The Fenelon Falls Museum and was written by Glenn Walker.
If you want to make a donation to the museum, you can e-transfer to: [email protected] or mail a cheque to :
Maryboro Lodge Museum
Box 179
50 Oak Street
Fenelon Falls, ON
K0M 1N0
