THUNDER BAY – The third annual Children's Festival, in partnership with Our Kids Count, was held on Sunday.
The free event at Chippewa Park featured activities and games for all ages.
From bouncy castles to furry friends and face painting, there was lots to see and do.
Sonia Kruger, Our Kids Count funding coordinator, said it’s a great partnership between Our Kids Count and Friends of Chippewa Park.
“It’s an opportunity for families to come out to Chippewa Park, enjoy a fun, free day of activities with amazing community partners.
“It’s a really great start to the summer,” she said.
“There are free crafts, free face painting and bouncy castles. We’ve also got the barnyard friends who are amazing - who have brought their animals for us to see,” she said.
Families were also able to enjoy the amusement rides and everything else the park had to offer.
Kruger said it's important for organizations to provide families the opportunity to take part in free events throughout the summer.
“It’s not a great day today in terms of weather, but we’re making the best of it.”
Despite the slow start due to the weather, Kruger estimated around a thousand people came out to enjoy the festivities.
“Our mission, vision and values are really to bring families together in a supportive environment,” Kruger said.
“We’re really grateful to our community partners for coming out to this amazing event, and really supporting families within our community,” she said.
Iain Angus, Friends of Chippewa Park project manager, said it's always great to see so many people come out to the park.
“The park is over 100 years old - it’s always been the focus for a lot of people in the community.
Angus said that it's a great partnership that allows the park to host different types of events.
“In terms of Friends of Chippewa Park, we’re a small organization that doesn’t have the power to solely put on something like this.
“Our Kids Count has volunteers with the expertise to do things like face painting, and provide games,” Angus said.
More information about Our Kids Count's future events can be found on its website. Our Kids Count always accepts donations to make events like this possible.
