Monday, May 23 (Victoria Day) 12 – 4:00 pm at Highland Park Community Association. Rain or shine!

Our Family Festival Day features all kinds of activities Celebrating Puppets! Watch puppet shows, make your own take-home puppets, join a puppet parade. Listen to stories (that feature puppets!) Perform your puppet for an onsite video. Build a kite (upside down marionette). Face painting, Ice-cream and much more.

Bring your own puppet and be entered in a draw!

Festival day is FREE to Attend.

No admission to grounds – there is a small fee to attend the drop-in puppet making to cover supplies and food purchases may have an associated fee.

Unable to join us in person?

Check out our full line up of online festival events from May 23 - 29th

This family festival day is produced by WP Puppet Theatre in partnership with Highland Park Community Association

12:30 pm - Traditional Hoop Dancer & Opening Ceremonies

12:45 - 3:30 pm - Human Powered Woodworking with Tam Godfrey

1:00 & 2:30 pm - Puppet Performances

1:00 - 3:30 pm - Drop-by Puppet Making Workshop: Spread Your Wings & Fly! *Paid Ticket Required to ensure we have enough supplies on hand.

1:00 - 3:30 pm - Kite Making

1:30 - 3:30 pm - Face Painting

2:30 - 3:30 pm - Balloon Animals

3:15 - 4:00 pm - Little Brown Jug Brass Band

3:30 pm - Puppet Parade

Other Fun Activities: Ice Cream, Food Trucks, Puppet Exhibit and more!

Hoop Dance Performance 12:45 pm: Sandra Lamouche is a Nehiyaw Iskwew (Cree Woman) from the Bigstone Cree Nation in Northern Alberta and married into the Piikani Nation in Southern Alberta and mother to two boys with braids. She completed her B.A. in Native American Studies from the University of Lethbridge in 2007. In 2021 she successfully defended her M.A. Thesis at Trent University, titled “Nitona Miyo Pimadisiwin (Seeking a Good Life) Through Indigenous Dance” which examines Indigenous Dance as a Social Determinant of Health and Well Being. Sandra is a multidisciplinary creator and storyteller, she is a Champion Hoop Dancer, award winning Indigenous Educational Leader, two-time TEDx Speaker, artist, and writer.

Puppet Performance 1:00 & 3:00 pm: The Imaginarium Puppet Company Presents: The Durflington Show Off - When Loopy and Lena Durfling carelessly lose their treasure pooping goose they go to absurd lengths to get him back into the book. The Imaginarium Puppet Company was created in 2016 by longtime friends Trevor Duffy and Danny Jaycock. With the addition of their 3rd puppeteer, Simon Gushulak, their character’s come alive on stage.

Woodworking 12:45 - 3:30 pm: Make your own Acrobat wood-puppet using manual tools and your own energy! Feel good about being green, healthy and safe with Tam Godfrey! A retired shop teacher, with safety standards always top of mind, he has constructed manual drill presses, a hand cranked disc sander, bicycle powered scroll saw and “chevalets” for sawing out intricate pieces.

Puppet Making 1:00 - 3:30 pm: Join Tangle from Entangled Puppetry and our friendly volunteers to bring your own flapping bird puppet to life in this fun and skill-building drop-in workshop for families. Paper, glue and natural objects will be transformed into an avian extravaganza. Once your bird is assembled, be the wind beneath its wings and join the flock for a puppet parade! Let your imagination take flight and your heart soar as we celebrate nature, creativity and the simple joy of being together. Paid Ticket Required to ensure we have enough supplies on hand.

Kites for Kids 1:00 - 3:30 pm: Make a simple kite from paper and a bamboo skewer. Decorate it. Tie on the string and fly your upside-down marionette. Great for young children!

Face Painting & Balloons 1:30 - 3:30 pm Face painting is a creative way to explore the imagination and transform into a wild animal, superhero or favourite character! talented face painters beginning at 1:30pm and balloon animals beginning at 2:30pm. Children can get their face painted for the parade at 3:30pm

Face Painting & Balloon Animals Recommended for ages 3 and up.

Puppet Parade 3:30 pm: All are welcome to join this fun parade celebrating puppets! We will parade our creations and share the joy of gathering and community. Parade will be outside onsite on the grounds of Highland Park or insight the Hall due to rain.

Little Brown Jug Brass Band 3:15 - 4:00 pm: Will be playing before, during, and after our parade! Join in on the fun and energy of this group!