For seven years, the Bibbity Bobbity Boo children’s festival has provided an afternoon of entertainment for kids and families, and this year was no different. Hosted by the Fernie Heritage Library, the event, held at Rotary Park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., brings together local community members and entertainers for a fun and educational gathering.
This year, the event was based on a circus-like theme, but without the clowns, allowing for more focus on circus acts and tricks. There were a variety of performers trained in the art of circus tricks to impress the crowds and pass on a few tricks of the trade.
Emma Dressler, one of the main organizers of the event, says that festival aims to be educational and fun for families, and to showcase different members of the local community. Kids were able to try gold panning, with the help of the Fort Steele Gold Panners, taught about the importance of recycling through fun activities and learned about sun safety thanks to Interior Health. There was also face painting, story telling, a variety of food trucks and Jay Raymond playing music for dancing.
The event attracted many youth and teenagers, who volunteered their time to help at the festival. “One of our mandates too, was because it is a children’s festival, we want to have youth volunteering at it. We’ve got youth and teens volunteering at the event and every year we have more of the coming. There is really no incentive. They have a sort of sense of community,” said Dressler.
Dressler says the event is intentionally held on the same weekend as the Wapiti Festival to round out the weekend of fun for kids. The festival’s aim, according to Dressler, is to be a free, fun event that is accessible and welcoming for everyone interested in coming. At its peak, Bibbity Bobbity Boo organizers expected to see around 800 people at Rotary Park. With all the entertainment and activities provided, it’s would be hard to find an unhappy face in the park.