Kids of all ages are invited for a day of creativity and fun at the annual Richmond Children’s Arts Festival, taking place on BC Family Day (Monday, February 17) from 10:30am to 5:00pm at the Richmond Library/Cultural Centre and Cultural Centre Annex. This year will feature the legendary Canadian children’s performer Norman Foote, along with many new and reimagined activities.

A fresh perspective comes with the Rumpus Room—a DJ dance party for children and youth—and Axis Theatre’s popular children’s play Frog Belly Rat Bone. Festival favourites Ginalina, Wild Moccasin Dancers, Chinese Lion Dancers and Jill Raymond will return to the entertainment line-up alongside storytelling with Debra Sparrow, Oh Clementine! Family Folk Band, music from Fangfei Guzheng and innovative shadow puppetry by international touring company Mind of a Snail.

Festival site entry is free and includes drop-in access to a range of creative activities and performances with a focus on sustainability, nature and climate change. In addition, children can pre-register for scheduled and structured artist-led Creativity Classes such a papermaking, weaving, pottery, creative movement, theatre, dance, painting and more through the festival website at childrensartsfestival.ca.

Recognizing Black History Month, visitors are invited to view artist Tarcila Neves’ exhibition, The Roots of Resilience Collection, on display in the Upper Rotunda of the Richmond Cultural Centre. Neves will also lead a drop-in collaborative sculpture project with environmental artist Nickie Lewis.

The Children’s Arts Festival is produced by the City of Richmond and presented in partnership with the Richmond Public Library.

For full details, visit childrensartsfestival.ca.