From drama games to paper flowers, Hamilton children’s art festival features jam-packed lineup
Published June 2, 2023 at 10:59 am
Imagine bringing to life whales and other majestic sea creatures.
Using air dry clay, which doesn’t require an oven or kiln, is one of the methods a Hamilton children’s arts festival promises will spark imagination and creativity.
The Imagine in the Park Festival is held each year in Gage Park. On its 12th anniversary this year, the free festival will run for two days starting with a kick-off concert tonight (June 2). Canadian musician My Friend Christopher will perform at the bandshell in the park from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
The main events happen on Saturday, June 3 from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Every child will receive a free new book.
Five food trucks will be there, or people may bring a picnic lunch.
The festival has a full lineup this year featuring 21 professional local artists and authors who will host hands-on workshops in various forms of the arts, such as dance, music, storytelling, poetry, drawing and performance arts. There will be activities by literacy group Telling Tales at 11 a.m, 12 p.m. and 2 p.m., Hamilton Public Library’s Bookmobile, the Art Gallery Of Burlington, and four bandshell performances throughout the day.
For example, there will be interactive drama games with costumes and props. Children can explore creative ways of making instruments out of objects commonly considered junk. They can make bouquets of paper flowers like iris or Japanese peony. They can also learn a bit of chemistry by creating solar printed images on card stock. Click here for a full list of activities..
For artsy garden activities, drop by the Children’s Garden Project outside the festival near the baseball field from 10 a.m. to noon.