KAWARTHA LAKES-“The thing I love most about Kidsfest is looking around the Museum and park and seeing smiling faces excited to be a part of such a welcoming and engaging community event,” explains Avalon Loube. From Friday, September 4 to Sunday, September 6, Maryboro Lodge Museum and Garnet Graham Park will be filled with countless ways to learn, play and have a lot of fun. Dav adds: “KidsFest is an incredibly fun event that showcases the heart and spirit of Fenelon Falls. It is put on thanks to donations and volunteers—there really isn’t anything else like it.”
Handley Lumber KidsFest kicks off with the Crazy Carnival, where participants compete in one-of-a-kind contests with Sir David, alongside a traditional midway. It is an event where you can launch a catapult, play larger-than-life badminton, be in your own personal bubble, play pool noodle tennis, try three dimensional air soccer, interact with many different animals, play broomball, bounce in a bouncy castle, have your caricature drawn, run through a splash pad, be part of a magical world and launch a rocket. Kendra Bell says, “I can’t wait for the rockets!”
Over the course of the weekend many young local musicians will perform, as will Inspired2Dance. Visitors can Be a Rockstar! with Marky Monday. “I love to rock out with Marky Monday,” says Sara Sunshine. On Sunday afternoon, there will be a community campfire with the Providence Road Band. “Who doesn’t like making smores together?”
Handley Lumber KidsFest is inspired by the Kawartha’s unique contributions to family life. For many years, the largest local employer was Allen Wood Products and families across Canada grew up playing with toys make in Fenelon Falls, including the Tinkertoy. The Canada Crayon Company (later Crayola) and Kawartha Dairy have both been part of many happy memories over the years. Handley Lumber KidsFest shares fun, educational activities past and present, including many locally made, one-of-a-kind activities. Several new activities will be premiering this Labour Day Weekend. The park is literally filled with these creative, one-of-a-kind ways to have fun and learn. “It is very impressive seeing all the wooden games,” Janet Sheridan remarks.
Handley Lumber KidsFest is not just an event for children, it is irresistibly fun. Sara observes, “Anyone can be a kid at any age!” The event is about having spending time together, learning, and sharing joy with others. “I love how it brings the community together,” Kolby Cox says. “It’s nice to see everyone come together and celebrate.” Kyle adds, “KidsFest is one of the most thoughtful and fun events that the museum has to offer! We look forward to it every year!”
Kidsfest runs from September 4-6 at Maryboro Lodge in Fenelon Falls.
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: curator@maryboro.ca or mail a cheque to :
Maryboro Lodge Museum
Box 179
50 Oak Street
Fenelon Falls, ON
K0M 1N0
