More than 140 children sang, painted and blew bubbles during a children’s festival held at Jasper’s Centennial Park, Aug. 16.
The free event was organized to celebrate Jasper’s children, said Jenna McGrath, a prenatal to preschool outreach worker with Community Outreach Services (COS).
It was open to children aged six and under and included several interactive performances, including a mindfulness session with Lynda Shore, a sing-along with Val and Morley Fleming, a performance by Kiki the Eco Elf, an Aboriginal drum circle with Carmen Hockett and a magic show by Ryan Lackey.
The event was organized and funded by the Jasper Parent Link program, a service provided by COS that works collaboratively with parents and agencies in the community to provide a variety of guest speakers, presentations and community-based programs.
McGrath said the purpose of the festival was to connect the community, bringing parents and children together for some fun.
“Based on our turn out, I think we will continue it next year and for the years to come,” she said, adding she hasn’t made a decision about that just yet. In addition to the children’s activities, a group of teenagers were also selling light snacks and drinks to raise money for Twisted Tuesdays, a weekly event organized by COS for teenagers 12 to 17 years old. The Friends of Jasper National Park also had a booth at the event and Coco’s Cafe had a small stand set up selling warm beverages.
Paul Clarke [email protected]
