Burlington Children’s Festival goes WILD!

So, it’s been a tropically hot summer. I almost feel like I’ve moved to the rain forest and I have a feeling it will really feel like that during this year’s Children’s Festival weekend at The Waterfront at Downtown Burlington on August 18^th and 19^th.

We’ve definitely got a wild weekend starting on Saturday, August 18^th at 10am on The Beachway. The event runs until 4pm so it’s going to be a jam packed day of surf, sand and jungle themed fun!

Personally, I can’t make sand look like anything except a pile of sand but if you have a sculptor in you waiting to come out, the competition looks like tons of fun and we always have really great prizes! First prize in each of the 4 categories is a gorgeous hand crafted sandcastle trophy and some of the other prizes include an iPod dock, an iPod nano, great water toys like a body board and floating pool lounger, and Tim Hortons gift cards. Be sure to preregister for the competition if you can. Categories available are child, youth, family and adult. We do add some additional spots during set up but they do fill up quickly and they are first come first serve starting at 9am.

I love watching the professional sand sculptors carve their masterpieces. What they can do with a pile of sand is outstanding! This year, we will have four award winning sculptors to watch: Sandi Castle Stirling of Hamilton, Nick Blandin of Guelph, Sharon Nesbitt of Listowel, and Tanya Kastl of Kitchener. See what they think of the competitors’ sculptors: They are also our judges. And you can vote for your favourite creation too by filling out a ballot for The People’s Choice Award (only ballot one per person please!).

It should be a wildly fun day with reptiles from Safari Science, musical performances by The Beach Party Boys, face painting and balloon animals. I think I’ll try to walk on water with What A Ball and then see if I’m any good at Stand Up Paddle Boarding with SUP LIFE!

The fun continues jungle style on Sunday, August 19th in Spencer Smith Park. If you like jungle animals, this is the place to be! Connect with the creatures from Safari Science and the cats from Jungle Cat World! Or if you’d prefer to keep your distance from live creatures, perhaps Alex the Lion from Madagascar or Jungle Jack’s puppets and balloon animals are more your speed? We’ve booked Mystic Drumz to do a great stage show and drum circles you can join! Be sure to bring your inner California Girl (or Boy) and dance to the Katy Perry Tribute act. I know I’ll be asking for both Katy and Alex the Lion’s autographs during the meet and greets at the Gazebo!

Remember to come in your wildest costume for our Jungle Promenade Parade! Come as your favourite jungle creature, whether that’s an animal, an explorer or a character from your favourite jungle themed movie, like Madagascar or Tarzan! We’ll have prizes for best costumes, group/family costumes, most creative and most enthusiastic parade participant. Or bring your bathing suit and cool off in the Dofasco Water Jet Plaza or the awesome Waterslide Bouncer.

Since it’s summer, stay up late and watch Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa on the big screen outdoors on the West Lawn. Bring your own seating, blankets and snacks or grab something from one of our vendors or inside Discovery Landing at The Bite! The movie starts at 8:30 pm.

After all the fun is done, tell us what you thought by taking our survey available on our web page.

Check out www.burlington.ca/childrensfest, or the event invite on facebook: Day 1 and Day 2 for complete details.

Also, check out this video of last year's children's festival weekend - FUN!

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