Fun for kids of all ages

Photo: Nicholas Johansen

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Photo: Nicholas Johansen Photo: Nicholas Johansen Photo: Nicholas Johansen Photo: Nicholas Johansen Photo: Nicholas Johansen Photo: Nicholas Johansen

 

The Fat Cat Children’s Festival kicked off its 25th year, Friday, with plenty of smiling faces – despite a lack of co-operation from the weather.

The two-day event involves many activities and entertainment, from a petting zoo to a bouncy castle, crafts and live entertainment.

Almost 1,900 students from schools all over the Okanagan participated in Friday’s activities, according to Dorothee Birker, the festival's artistic director.

“Today’s one of my favourite days, seeing the hordes of schools, and the kids coming together. It’s a different experience for the kids to come with their peers and classmates to a festival like this rather than with just their families,” Birker said. “At the end of the day, it’s just fun.”

For the 25th anniversary, organizers brought back some of the most popular performers from previous years.

The weather was substantially cooler than it has been recently, at about 15 C with high winds and light rain. The weather didn’t seem to dampen anyone’s spirits, though.

Dante, a student from Heritage Christian School, said his favourite part of the event was the face painting, while Connor, from the same school, enjoyed “getting sunglasses, just like my dad.”

Alexa, from Belgo Elementary, liked the Fat Cat running around and talking to children.

“We really thank the teachers for making that effort. When you’re wrangling 24 to 30 kids, and bringing them to a festival like this, it takes a lot of effort,” said Birker.

Saturday's events will start off with a parade at 10 a.m. that runs from Cawston and Richter to Waterfront Park. After that, there will be more performers on stage, and activities at the festival grounds.

For more information, check out fatcatfestival.ca