2023 FAQs

What arts and crafts will be available this year?

We will have around 20 stations featuring a wide variety of Renaissance-themed art projects, including tunics, magic wands, crowns, swords, bird masks, puppets, soapstone carving, wood block construction, and other favorites from past years.

Will there be a castle this year?

Of course there will be a castle!  This year we will be constructing a sturdy plywood castle that can be re-used year after year, avoiding the need to take cardboard waste to the landfill.  Kids will still be able to paint it inside and out, just like in prior years.

What other activities will be available?

We will once again have Pyrat Skool, catapults and chess.  We will have a fortune teller, face painting and new wooden puppets the kids can make dance.

What about live entertainment?

We’ll have a great line-up of entertainment.  Izzy Tooinsky, everyone’s favorite juggler, will be there.  We’ve also lined up the Diamond Rose Fencers to put on a fencing demonstration, as well as bagpipers, dancers, and other musicians.  We’ll also have costumed characters roaming the Festival grounds and participating in the parade at the end of each session.

Will refreshments be available at the Festival?

Yes, we sell hot dogs, popcorn, lemonade, and other light snacks as in prior years. Please note that The Children’s Festival no longer sells single-use plastic water bottles.  The Children’s Festival has purchased and donated a hydration station for Pioneer Park, which will enable people to refill their own water bottles and reduce the amount of plastic waste.

What if I forget my water bottle?

No worries.  The hydration station has a drinking fountain, and you can get free cups of water at the Refreshment area.  We will also have reusable souvenir water bottles for sale at just $5 each.

Can we bring our own food?

Yes, you’re welcome to bring your own food and beverages.  There will be picnic tables set up near the Refreshment stand that you can use.  You can also set up your own picnic in Pioneer Park outside the Festival grounds before or after you come to the Festival.

Any tips for the adults attending the Festival with kids?

• Keep the Kids Safe.  Please keep the kids from entering the creek or going past the caution tape.  (In years past, we’ve had kids accidentally kick dirt and debris into the Refreshment area.)
• Remember your Artwork!  Please remember to pick up your crafts before you leave.  Many of the crafts need to dry, but we often wind up with works of art that get left behind at the end of the Festival.  It helps if you bring a tote bag to carry your precious creations.  We will have reusable bags for sale for $3 in case you forget.
• Prefer not to have your child’s photograph taken? Stickers will be available on request at the park entrances. Please place the sticker in a visible spot on your child. The roving photographer (taking photos for the website and/or Facebook page) will not take your child’s photo and will delete any group photos that include someone with a visible sticker.

Do I need a ticket?

Yes. You can buy tickets on site. $3 per session per person/child (when paying in cash).

Do you take credit cards?

Yes, The Children’s Festival now accepts credit cards, with a 50 cent convenience fee per ticket.

How do we get in?

There are two entrances. People can enter off Nimrod St. by the Seamen’s Lodge; the entrance is just past the pool and playground. People can also come in through the parking lot at Park Ave. and Max Solano Dr. There will be lots of people there. Just follow the crowd.

Where can we park?

The parking lots at Pioneer Park fill up early, but you can park on surface streets in the surrounding neighborhoods.  Please carpool if possible and take care not to block anyone’s driveway.

Are dogs allowed at the Festival?

Sorry. Only service dogs are allowed at the Festival.

How can I help?

It takes an army of volunteers to put on the Children’s Festival.  We need people to help out at the craft tables and other activities.  If you can spare three hours of your time, we would love to hear from you!  I promise you’ll have fun!  Please contact our volunteer coordinators at helpers@thechildrensfestival.com.

Does the Children’s Festival accept donations?

Yes, donations are gratefully accepted.  The Children’s Festival is a 501(c)(3) organization sponsored by Gold Country Kiwanis.  Please contact our director, Judi Mosley, at childfestboard@gmail.com for more information.