Kidsfest 2012 - Children’s Festival celebrates 30 years

Kidsfest 2012 is happening June 7 to 10, 2012 at The Forks. An interactive, life-like Dinosaur Petting Zoo, a plate-spinning comedic waiter, international children’s stars Fred Penner and Al Simmons, and a group of singing “baboons” are among the headliners of Kidsfest taking place. Check out all the performers here.

Kidsfest also presents more than 24 lively hands-on activity centres where kids can play with clay, make a kite, try on costumes, create a pair of wings, make crafts like necklaces and paper bag puppets and go “critter dipping.” All activities listed here.

Advanced general public tickets are $14 each or $48 for a family pack of four. Gate prices are $16 each or $56 for a family pack of four. You can save on the gate prices by getting your advance tickets at all Winnipeg Safeway locations in early May.

Children under two are free, and kids under 12 only need to pay once for the entire four day festival, provided they keep their wristbands on. Kids’ wristbands can be exchanged daily at the box office.

For more information visit Kidsfest at http://kidsfest.ca

Kidsfest - A Festival for Kids of All Ages

This past weekend I took my kids to Kidsfest, which took place at The Forks, in Winnipeg. I had some extra tickets so we invited my sister and my niece (my daughter's BFF). We couldn't have asked for a better day. The weather was perfect and the crowd was manageable. The organizers did a great job of spreading out the tents all around The Forks.

The very first thing I saw when I got there, which I think is genius, is a bike and stroller valet. Stroller Valet!!! Genius! So simple yet so helpful! And the staff at the ticket booth were so nice. In fact, the staff at all the tents were exceptional! What I learned while I was there was that Kidsfest relies heavily on volunteers, donations and sponsorship. Ticket sales on covers a fraction of the cost to run Kidsfest. You couldn't have asked for better volunteers. The enthusiasm and energy was seen all around!

First up, face painting. You can't attend Kidsfest without getting your face painted.

We watched a performance from Order & Choas! Comedy, Music & Bubble Majic! The girls loved it!

Then we did crafts, which was the highlight of my day.... I mean the girls day (okay for those that don't know me, I kind of have a thing for all things crafty).

My sister was helping the girls with the crafts while I took care of my baby boy (and I played photographer too).

Another hit was Kindermusik! I had to drag my daughter out of that tent! This was her favourite part of the festival.

My niece loved playing with all the instruments too!

What's a festival without dressing up?

My daughter wouldn't stop talking about Kidsfest all weekend, which means it was a hit! There is so much to do there. It really is a festival that kids of all ages would enjoy. Looking forward to next year. You may just see a momstown tent there?!?!

Kidsfest Review & Giveaway - CLOSED

Looking for something fun to do this month? Take the whole family to Kidsfest! This year's Kidsfest is June 9-12 at The Forks in Winnipeg. 

Kidsfest is put on by the Winnipeg International Children’s Festival, who has been entertaining children and their families for over 25 years with positive educational entertainment - in a festival environment created just for them.

I went to check out www.kidsfest.ca to see what types of activities they have planned. First off, you should check out their website. Not only is it fun and colourful but it’s so well laid out and easy to find what you’re looking for. The site is loaded with details of the upcoming event.

Dress up & make a wacky hat!

So what will you expect to see at Kidsfest this year? They have everything from zany circus acts, high strung acrobatics, kidstock for the music lovers and loads of arts and crafts (a momstown Winnipeg favourite)! 

Arts & Crafts is a momstown Winnipeg favourite!

Fred Penner and The Cats Meow Band will be there, along with Dallas Arcand, a high energy Aboriginal entertainer.  And of course there is good old traditional face painting! The list is too long to mention everyone. Check out their website for the full line up of performers and the fun activities they have planned. Last but not least, they will have fireworks for the whole family to enjoy!

Fred Penner is a childhood favourite for me!

Who wouldn't want their face painted?

Tickets are now on sale. Hurry before June 12 to take advantage of their advance ticket prices. Available May 9 – June 12 at all Winnipeg Safeway and Assiniboine Credit Union locations. Cost is $12 each or a Family Pack of 4 for $40.

Or you can purchase tickets at the gate: Available June 9 – June 12 at the Box Office onsite. Cost is $14 each or a Family Pack of 4 for $48.

Free admission for children under 2 years of age. Children under 12 pay once and then can visit the Festival again and again (they just need to report to the Box Office with their attached wristband and trade it in daily).

Want to win tickets? We’re giving away a family pack of 4!  
Simply make a comment here as to which performer or activity your kids would want to see/do the most. Go to www.kidsfest.ca to see the full line up and list of activities they have planned. We’ll randomly select one lucky reader! Hurry this contest ends soon! Winner will be announced June 5!

Summer Fun in Winnipeg

Anyone who has every been to Winnipeg knows how harsh our winters can be. So when it starts to get the slightest bit warm outside, you'll see Winnipeg folks wandering around in shorts and sandles.

We also come out of hibernation and start enjoying the outdoors. I don't know about the rest of you, but I also notice my social calendar starts to get jam packed. I avoid going out in the winter and need a good kick in the butt to change that bad habit! So by the time summer comes I'm just itching to get out of the house. I know that momstown Winnipeg is going to change that for me and lots of Winnipeg moms. We'll have loads of events in the winter that will be too good to pass up!

I've got lots of fun events planned for the summer. One event you'll see happen a few times this summer is the famous Picasso's in the Park event. Picasso's in the Park is a momstown standard! We set up on the long picnic tables and bring out the beautiful coloured tempra (non-toxic paint) and  a million types of brushes, sponges and fun applicators. Kids come dresses in their play clothes 'cause the goal is to let your child go wild!!!

 

Another great event that I've got planned for momstown Winnipeg is the famous Car Wash Playdates! Kids come with their favourite car (aka: ride on toys) and they wash their cars! Moms enjoy some great conversation while soaking in the sun's rays while the little ones get soaked. Another event where a change of clothes is highly recommended.

I've even got plans for the wee little ones that love to eat everything they can get their hands on. Let's just say it involves pudding!

So stay tuned. We are working hard to get some great events and field trips planned this summer. momstown Winnipeg expects to have the website up and running and open for moms to sign up by June 20, 2011. I promise you'll have a fabulous tan by the time September roles around. Now if we can just find a way to un-invite the mosquitoes!

Some other great events and family spots to be sure to check out this summer right here in Winnipeg:

• The Teddy Bears' Picnic
• Kidsfest
• The Children's Museum (opening June 4!)
• The Zoo
• The Assiniboine Park's new Nature's Playground
• The Red River Ex

And last but not least, our Launch Party! We are planning a big party in August to celebrate our grand opening! Details are in the works! So stay tuned!

See you around the neighbourhood!