Richmond Children’s Arts Festival returns

Richmond, BC – For the first time since 2020, the popular Richmond Children’s Arts Festival is returning in full form with a program of free, hands-on fun on BC Family Day, Monday, February 20 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“The Children’s Arts Festival is a long-time favourite with the community,” said Mayor Malcolm Brodie. “Whether it’s enjoying a musical performance or interacting with a creative activity, children and their families are always delighted and enriched by the experience. It’s great to see the festival return fully in person on BC Family Day.”

This year’s festival, presented by Lansdowne Centre, will once again see the Richmond Library/Cultural Centre transformed into a celebration of imagination and creativity with an exciting line-up of music, dance, writing and more for children ages three to 12 years. For details, visit www.childrensartsfestival.ca.

New for 2023, the Minoru Plaza (7700 Minoru Gate) will feature a public art project by Elvira Monteforte and Dolores Altin. We are Made of Water will consist of three freestanding domes made from recyclable materials. Children are invited to help create and interact with these structures that highlight the importance of protecting water, a precious natural resource.

Entry to the festival site is free and includes drop-in access to a range of activities and performances such as singer and storyteller Gina Lina, Let’s Make a Song! with festival favourite Peter GG, cedar bark weaving with Musqueam artist Rita Kompst, Bollywood dance performances and workshops with Canadian National Dance Champion Karima Essa, Taiko drumming with Uzume Taiko, unique and critically acclaimed beatboxing Infinitus String Trio, as well as artist-led Imagination Stations for creative and fun hands-on art making activities. The Richmond Public Library will host author readings with Richmond’s Sharon Dulay, author of Gia and the Moon, and Kung Jaadee presenting Haida and Squamish stories and songs.

In addition, parents can preregister children for scheduled and structured artist-led Creativity Classes. These include hip hop, musical theatre, drumming and dancing, architecture, Mexican traditional paper art with Richmond artist Carmen Keitsch and a Create Your Own Storybook Character workshop presented by the Richmond Art Gallery. Space is limited for Creativity Classes and advance registration ($10 per participant) is recommended. Details at www.childrensartsfestival.ca.

The Children’s Arts Festival is produced by the City of Richmond and presented by Lansdowne Centre. The Community sponsor is the Richmond Public Library. The Media sponsor is Richmond News.