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Fremantle Children's Fiesta: fun-filled family day for all

IT'S almost time again for the annual Fremantle Children's Fiesta at Samson Park from 10am to 3pm, Sunday, April 13 - a day jam-packed with free activities for kids aged up to 12.

As the big day approaches, experienced artist Rachel Wyder is leading a community project with Samson Primary School, Quarry Street Childcare Centre, Spearwood Alternative School, Young Mums’ Group, Hilton Primary School and Weybridge After School Care to create a bushland installation of all creatures great and small for the fiesta.

City of Fremantle Community Development Officer Kay Raymond said the project was a way of getting children involved in researching local flora and fauna, then working creatively to make insects, birds and lizards out of fibre, wool and found objects.

“Children will also make ‘footprints’ out of rubbish and recycled materials, representing the impact humans have made on the environment,” she said. “These footprints will lead people to the sculpture installation during the fiesta.”

Renowned as a complete family day out, the Fremantle Children’s Fiesta features a cavalcade of fun things to do, including bubble-making, bush sculptures, storytelling, hair-braiding, face-painting, Aboriginal rock painting, crafting indigenous implements, a climbing wall, drumming, African dancing with Alice Langa and a circus skills workshop.

Plenty of entertainment is offer from the Wadumbah Aboriginal dance group, Dance Central, the hula hula group Tricky Chicks and the hit of Harmony Day, Young Blood Dancers.

The South Metropolitan Public Health Unit, Galati’s and Kakulas Sister will be giving away free fruit and water and there’s also a range of other food available during the day.

Meerilinga Parent Link, Department for Communities, Girl Guides and Friends of Samson Park will have information stalls set up in the park as well.

“The main aim of the day is to celebrate childhood by mixing in lots of fun things to do while adding in an educational component here and there,” Ms Raymond said.

“It’s an ideal way to offer children a range of stimulating activities and performances while giving parents an idea of clubs and organisations in the area.

“Samson Park is also ideal for exploring the natural bush environment and promotes interaction and celebration of the arts and the environment.

“Given it has continued to grow since its inception almost nine years ago, the Children’s Fiesta has become a highly regarded and much-anticipated event on the annual events calendar for the local community.”

The 2008 Fremantle Children’s Fiesta is a City of Fremantle initiative, supported by community groups and local schools, sponsored by Shacks Holden, Dymocks, Fremantle Dockers, Rotary International, Bendigo Bank, Realmark Residential, Professionals Fremantle, Kakulas Sister and the South Metropolitan Area Health Service.

Samson Park is an idyllic bushland setting with tall trees providing an abundance of shade, located on McCombe Avenue in Samson.

For more information, contact the community development office on 9432 9882 or go to www.fremantlefestivals.com.