Back when things were first coming together for the Moose Jaw Shrine Club Children’s Festival, word got out that another event of a similar type was going to be taking place the same weekend in Wakamow Valley.
So rather than go head-to-head with the same kind of fun in the sun, the two groups decided to band together.
And what they came up with was the biggest and best Shrine Club Children’s Festival yet.
Thousands of visitors made the trek to the Wakamow Valley oval throughout the day Saturday, taking part in a host of events and activities and just having a great time on a beautiful late-spring day.
And it all came together through some perfect timing and ideal collaboration.
“We were thinking it was time for a change of venue, it’s been going the same for quite a few years and it was time to bring it up,” said event organizer Dalton Duzan. “Then we heard that Wakamow was going to have a children’s festival the same day we were, so we got in touch, partnered and now we have a really large one.”
Folks were able to take part in a host of activities ranging from the always popular bouncy castle and other fun air-based stations, including a batting cage and shooting gallery. Then there were the Thomas the Tank Engine train rides, canoe tours around Plaxton Lake and even a magic show in the afternoon.
Visitors could also check out all sorts of wares at the weekly Farmer’s Market that was also taking place on the site.
“Even though this is our first time down here and we knew it would be a big event, we didn’t know how big,” Duzan said. “It’s exceeded our expectations and we’re really happy, there are lots of smiles on kids faces down here and it’s been an excellent day.”
Best of all, it was completely free.
Patrons could get a hot dog, candy, water, ice cream, candy floss and other delicious treats just by showing up, and that’s all due to the hundreds of sponsors who supported the event.
“It’s really touching to know that we have these partners in the business community that keep coming back to help us out and donate to the cause,” Duzan said. “To be able to do this for free for the kids is amazing and without all the support from businesses, there wouldn’t be an opportunity for any of this.”
Now the ideas start to flow for next year.
“We broke so many records with this festival and we’d be happy to be back next year and make it even better,” Duzan said.
