There are festivals for adults and teenagers, but what about one just for kids?
North Shore Kids Fest is returning for a second year to The Shipyards in September with an expansion of more performances and activities for youth ages 14 and under.
This year, the kid-centered festival will take over The Shipyards all the way to the Polygon Gallery and The Pipe Shop where there will be two stages for performances and a new “entrepreneur zone” where little ones can share their creative talents with the community.
Festival co-founders Anna Boltenko and Anna Sharonova launched the festival last year to fill a need they noted for more children-focused events in the community.
“We have those big festivals happen at The Shipyards or across the North Shore, but the kids zone, it’s just a zone. There’s nothing completely and fully devoted to the kids,” said Boltenko. “So, we filled that gap and realized we can do something for our kids.”
Sharonova said the festival idea had been kicking around for awhile, but it didn’t really take shape until her daughter brought up the idea.
“She just approached me and [was] asking, ‘It’s so unfair, you have Mother’s Day for you, daddy has Father’s Day, and what about me? Where is the kids day?’” Sharanova said. “This was definitely that push that we definitely needed to do something about that.”
Kiddos will be able to show off their talents, whether it be singing, dancing, showing off their sports skills or even pitching business ideas.
Young ones can also take part in fun activities like slime making, face painting, and even fencing and martial arts, Sharonova said.
“We have so many talented kids on the North Shore, and unfortunately, there are only a few opportunities for them to perform,” Sharonova said. “[They] can inspire another kid to go out there, to find something that they really like to do.”
There will also be companies attending that are dedicated to children's growth and learning, including educational institutions like Upper Lonsdale Preschool, day cares, and community favourites like Grouse Mountain showcasing their kids programs.
The event was a huge success last year, seeing more than 200 performers take the stage and hundreds of people in attendance, Sharonova said, adding that she expects this festival to have an even bigger turnout.
“We hope families leave with a sense of inspiration about the bright future ahead – one filled with opportunities and possibilities,” Sharonova said. “Our children have so many talents, and this festival is a celebration of those gifts and the many paths open to them.”
North Shore Kids Fest
When: Sunday, Sept. 14 from noon to 6 p.m.
Where: The Shipyards, 125 Victory Ship Way
Cost: Free
Abby Luciano is the Indigenous and civic affairs reporter for the North Shore News. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.
https://bsky.app/profile/abbyluciano.bsky.social
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