Walnut Grove family event overflows with entertainment

Games, fun and things to do at every stop and turn are the focus at this year’s Walnut Grove Family Day Festival on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Walnut Grove Community Park just north of Walnut Grove Senior Secondary School.

The event is put on by the Walnut Grove Business Association. Laurie Daschuk, coordinator of the organization, noted it is driven by the local business people who want to give back to the community that supports them.

Now in its third year, the event includes even more fun and games for everyone.

“We’re having the Remax balloon and bouncy castle again,” Daschuk said. “It’s our most popular attraction.”

The Remax folk will be offering the opportunity to ride the balloon up into the sky while still being tethered to the ground. They will also bring their over-sized bouncy castle for the kids to try to bounce into the sky.

Pony rides, a petting zoo, clowns and bingo will be on site and admission is an affordable $2 for adults, $1 for kids, or $5 for a family.

“There’s a whole bunch of car clubs coming out for a show and shine, too,” Daschuk said.

If food is the focal point of the day, check out the Save-On-Foods tent where a wide range of gourmet goodies can be sampled. Plus, Daschuk noted there will be eight different food trucks on site.

More fun for kids includes fire truck and ambulance tours, plus VanCity is hosting an “upcycling parade” where kids can decorate their bikes with recycled items and ride them in a parade.

“There’s going to be face painting and a kids’ dress up and photo booth too,” commented Daschuk.

Walnut Grove businesses have banded together to create a midway arcade where they each host one of 40 different booths. According to Daschuk, each will feature something to do whether it’s a game, a goodie bag, or something silly to win a prize.

“There will be something fun at each booth,” Daschuk said.

The main entertainment stage will run all day with performers like children’s entertainer Charlotte Diamond, and local acts such as Bird Dawg, Cambree Lovesy, Kristal Barret, Mike Steen, and performers from Langley Has Talent. Additional entertainment such as black belt demonstrations and cheerleading displays will be ongoing throughout the park.

“The whole purpose of the event is that the admission donation goes to the Walnut Grove Family Fund,” Daschuk explained. “This is administered through the Langley School District Foundation.”

Last year the event raised $7,000.

“Principals and teachers in Langley contact us about funds for Walnut Grove families in special circumstances,” Daschuk said. “It’s those unusual requests for families who have no where else to turn.”