Highlights of Manitouwadge Children’s Festival

Written by admin on 03 June 2015

Manitouwadge 2015 Children’s Festival had games, prizes and a BBQ in addition to the main attractions the Science North mobile planetarium, Eric the Juggles and local artist Alexia Dubois face painting. Photo OntarioNewsNorth.com

MANITOUWADGE, ON – The Township of Manitouwadge Community Services Annual Children’s Festival was held May 23rd and included a BBQ and couple main attractions.

For most of the children the three biggest draws were Science North’s mobile planetarium, Eric the Juggler and local artist Alexia Dubois face painting.

BIG CITY SCIENCE FUN

Science North’s mobile planetarium was very popular. During most of the festival a long-line waited patiently for their turn. Photo OntarioNewsNorth.com

Science North’s mobile planetarium is an inflatable dome which accommodates dozens of adults or children inside to sit, or lay, on mats and view an impressive, and educational, tour through the cosmos – primarily our own Solar System but with a peak at the larger galaxy and even a virtual roller coaster on a distant moon. The planetarium visits the region, as in this instance, by request. The show, narrated live by one of Science North’s knowledgeable staff was as fun as it was educational and there were only rave reviews as visitors exited the dome.

ANOTHER REGIONAL FAVOURITE

Eric the Juggler impresses a crowd, outside of the 2015 Children’s Festival, juggling a chainsaw! Submitted photo

Eric the Juggler has, in recent years, become a staple of any successful events along the Northshore . Along with performing his incredible juggling skills (balls, fire and even chainsaw juggling!) Eric also provides instruction while his assistant also performs a variety of carnival type talents (giant hoola hoops, creating balloon animals, etc) and also provides instruction on site for those wanting to learn the impressive skills the pair shares. [To learn more about Eric the Juggler, CLICK HERE to visit his site].

LOCAL ARTIST SHARES TALENT

Artsit Alexia Dubois transforms Morgan, visiting from Michigan USA), into a beautiful butterfly. Photo OntarioNewsNorth.com

The line for those waiting to have their faces painted by artist Alexia Dubois was consistently long throughout the afternoon. Dubois, a local high school student, also had some of her art on display available for purchase.

Alexia creates another masterpiece but this young face has come a long way, Morgan, and her Grandmother Barb Grooves, are from Michigan. The Grooves purchased a home in Manitouwadge approximately a decade ago to use for vacations and enjoying the outdoors and, they certainly enjoyed having the festival to attend during this visit. Photo OntarioNewsNorth.com

A FESTIVAL FOR ALL RESIDENTS

We all know Manitouwadge homes were widely marketed for sale when prices dropped years ago but who bought those houses? Well one family was the Grooves from Michigan, USA and they have since visited, pretty much annually and thoroughly enjoyed their getaway in Northern Ontario.

During this visit, Grandmother Barb and her Granddaughter, 10yr old Morgan, were thrilled to have the children’s festival to enjoy while in Manitouwadge.

Overall, perhaps due to lack of advertising, numbers seemed low at the Children’s festival. There were few, if any, faces from neighbouring communities, something the township should be considering when promoting such events in a community which desperately needs outside dollars injected into its economy. Considering the fancy regional attractions Community Services brought in for the festival, it was surprising advertising used in past years, through locally based regional newspaper OntarioNewsNorth.com or its monthly print version ONN On The Road (sent home with all elementary school kids in the region), was not used for 2015. The newspaper was not invited to promote or share details of the event in any way prior to the festival either. Nonetheless, those in attendance had a wonderful time, and shared with ONN their intent to participate again in 2016.

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