After about 14 years, the Children’s Festival is returning to Prince George.
This time, it will take the form of a one-day event — now called the Northern BC Multicultural Children’s Festival — hosted by the Multicultural Heritage Society of Prince George. It’s set for Saturday, May 31, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park.
The band shell stage at the park will be filled with entertainment geared toward children, and organizers are encouraging young performers to showcase their talents.
“Local comedian Mike McGuire had to start somewhere, and I imagine that might have been in the classroom,” said Margaret Jackson, volunteer administrator with the Multicultural Heritage Society. “So if we’ve got children like him wanting to show their talents and shine, we’re all about that.
“Hopefully we can fill up the whole day with children supporting children.”
This year marks the Multicultural Heritage Society’s 50th anniversary.
“And we wanted to celebrate with a signature event beyond the Canada Day celebrations, where we partner with the city,” Jackson said. “And what better thing to do than bring back the Children’s Festival?”
The festival aims to bring joy, creativity and entertainment to children and families, offering a safe and engaging environment filled with games, performances and interactive workshops. Organizers hope the event will promote creativity, encourage outdoor play, and foster family bonding and community spirit.
A variety of food trucks will be on site, and changes are being made to the Kids Zone.
“We moved away from the bouncy castles and decided to go a bit more interactive,” Jackson said. “We’ve reached out to many non-profit multicultural organizations and asked them to share their favourite childhood games from their countries — ones we don’t typically play in Canada.
“So there will be quite an educational aspect to it.”
Because planning for the festival began later than usual, the society was unable to access government funding for this year’s event.
“So we’re on a shoestring budget, and most everybody is volunteering,” Jackson said.
To help fund the event, 50/50 draws will be held by the Multicultural Heritage Society and its supporter organization, Live Well Prince George Society.
About 50 volunteers are needed to help run the festival, and roughly half have already signed up. Volunteer orientation sessions are being held every Tuesday morning and evening at the society’s office, and new volunteers are welcome.
The society is still feeling the absence of longtime executive director Marlies Greulich, who died in 2023 after leading the organization for more than 40 years. The office has since moved from its downtown location at 1209 Fifth Ave. to 770 Brunswick St.
“Yes, that’s the Coast Hotel,” Jackson said. “But the society isn’t in the hotel — it’s near the former location of Sgt. O’Flaherty’s. Access is from the parking lot across from Tim Hortons.
“Confusing, I know,” she added with a laugh.
Communities from across northern BC, including Mackenzie, Fraser Lake, Burns Lake, McBride and Valemount, have been invited to attend.
Jackson acknowledged that some people are disappointed the event is only one day, especially since entire elementary schools attended in past years. But with limited funds, a longer festival wasn’t feasible this year.
“So this is a simplified version of the former Children’s Festival,” she said. “This is designed for the kids — and hopefully can be enjoyed by the kid in all of us.”
Businesses and individuals are welcome to offer sponsorship for the event.
For more information about sponsorship opportunities or to volunteer contact Jackson at the office by calling 250-563-8525, visiting in person or emailing [email protected]
