It’s a date for August 3, 4, and 5 for children of all ages and their families at the 2007 Vieux Sainte-Rose ‘Grandes Fêtes’ Festival.
(Photo: Martin Alarie)
The children are central to the ‘Grandes Fetes’ Festival
Fun and frolic through art and games for the younger set at August 3,4,5 family affair
If it’s a family affair, then let the children play, is the basic theme of the kids' part of the 2007 ‘Grandes Fêtes’ de Ste-Rose Festival, an obvious insight that is harmonious with the mission of the major force behind the annual event – Guy Cyr, founder and president of the Musée des Enfants de Laval.
Heading the list of children’s activities at the festival is the International Art Contest, a new dimension of the celebration, an initiative which will link the younger set of our city with their counterparts in Barcelona, Spain.
Joining this art project will be a return of the popular Festival of the Little Trains and the Soap Box Derby, activities which always draw the children’s attention, interest, and involvement.
Turning children on to art
“We were looking for another way to help children develop a greater love for art that would actualize their talents sooner” says Jean-Jacques Lapierre, Laval city councilor and vice-president of the Laval Children’s Museum, adding that the intent of the International Art Contest is to have the children produce paintings which will be exchanged with paintings done by children in Barcelona.
Mr. Lapierre was instrumental in setting up the art exchange with Barcelona, visiting the city this past June, at which time the project was given its framework. At the festival, under the big tent, children 12 and younger will produce paintings under various themes. The paintings can illustrate children with cats, dogs, or dolls; children playing soccer, or children with flags of Canada or Spain. The paintings can also reflect the children’s view of home and family.
The end result of the project is to select 24 paintings in Laval and 24 in Barcelona which will be exchanged and publicly displayed in the two cities.
And more, much more
The family aspect of the festival will be replete with activities of interest to children of all ages: workshops in sculpture, theatre, and film; face-painting, inflatable games, games of skill, animated shows, and cheerleading demonstrations.
And of course, no children’s festival would be complete without the traditional Soap Box Derby for the budding set of Jacques Villeneuve, Alex Tagliani, and Lewis Hamilton imitators. This much-anticipated expression of art, technology, and skill will take place on Sunday, August 5th, starting at 10:00 am on Hotte Street.
Photo:Children
(Photo: Martin Alarie)
Météo: Laval, 18 juillet 2008 / 19°C
/ Faible pluie
/ Vents: 15 Km/h / Humidité relative: 94 % 
Steven Guilbeault - Chronique environnement
Richard Cléroux - Le fouineur politique
