Now In its 13th year, the festival was created by Sharon Levy Cohen due to cutbacks to the arts in the public school system back in the early 2000s.  During its early years, the date for the festival was always scheduled for the first Saturday in June, but with its numbers being so successful, with over 5000 young children and adults from all over Hamilton attending, it has now grown to Friday night and all-day Saturday. 

 

The festival will kick off with three children’s performers on Friday night, starting at 6:00 p.m. On Saturday, starting at 10:30 in the morning, twenty-five artists will lead 30-minute interactive and hands-on workshops. All workshops are free to the public, and as a bonus, each child will receive a free book of their choice. Workshops we have had in the past include puppetry, jewellery making, dance, theatre, pottery, musical instruments made from household items, photography, poetry, creative writing, drawing and painting. 

 

Food trucks are also available for anyone wanting to purchase lunch or snacks. Washroom facilities are on site. Along with our interactive workshops, parents and children will also have the opportunity to participate with community group leaders from the Hamilton Bookmobile, the Burlington library, the art gallery of Burlington, Project Concern (the Hamilton Police), the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, Just One Wish, Kindness Program, and more.

 

Our festival is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Hamilton AM along with many other generous donors and supporters. We depend on volunteers to run and keep the festival running smoothly. In the last couple of years, we have also created a working relationship with Hamilton’s other children’s literary festival, “Telling Tales.”

 

So don’t forget to mark your calendar for this fantastic festival! Your child will spend an amazing couple of days learning how to express themselves using their imaginations through the arts. Check out our website at www.imagineinthepark.com

See you there!