If you have a young child in your life, you are going to want to make note of the Salmon Arm Canada Day Children’s Festival rolling out from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on July 1 at the Salmon Arm Fairgrounds.
This wildly popular family event was attended by some 5,000 people in 2010 and promises to draw a large crowd again this year.
Festival organizers are committed to making this is a free event so that all children and families in the area may enjoy a celebration of our Canadian heritage.
Included in the 2011 festivities is a Main Stage featuring local musician Jeanetti Spaghetti, children’s entertainers The Kerplunks from Vancouver Island and Tickles and Family Clowns from the Lower Mainland.
Wrapping up the music at the end of the day will be Cod Gone Wild, a rambunctious modern Celtic rock band, based in the Okanagan Valley.
The “Cods” have melded four veteran musicians from diverse musical backgrounds to create an edgy version of traditional, contemporary and original Celtic, Irish and Newfoundland music.
Making sure the music continues to flow will again be MC Patrick Ryley.
Other free activities include several inflatable bouncy houses, a dance exhibition by local dance students, stories by James Murray, 4H small animal display, plus lots of arts and activity tents.
Fifty-cent games will also be on-site including the ever-popular fish pond, tattoo parlour and wacky hair salon. Every child gets one free ticket on entry, and can earn a second, bonus ticket by wearing red.
Loads of food vendors are lined up to offer a variety of choices for all ages. Hotdogs, hamburgers, pizza, samosas, ice cream and more will be available.
Volunteers are still needed to help set up June 30, for helping out with activities during the celebrations and take down afterwards. Certificates are issued to all volunteers.
The entire festival is made possible by the support of local organizations and businesses, with special help coming from the Salmon Arm Rotary Club.
For more information or to find out how you can help this year, call Karen Bubola at 250-832-6192, Kari Wilkinson at 250-832-8261, or visit www.sachildrensfest.com.