Festival in Balboa Park Lures Kids of All Ages to a Children’s Heaven

Where can a kid have purple dinosaurs painted on his face and make super-sized soapy bubbles while being serenaded by an accordionist?

At the San Diego International Children’s Festival in Balboa Park, that’s where.

Hundreds of children from schools all over San Diego County came out Wednesday to enjoy the first day of the fest, which runs from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. daily through Sunday.

Children squealed in delight as they curled up inside huge, foam octagons and rolled across the lawn. Also available are arts and crafts, entertainment, free workshops, cooperative games, puppet instruction, clowns, play sculpting and mask making. Kid heaven, right?

But kids weren’t the only ones who knew how to have fun. Two lone adults got up and did the twist when the band Dan & Dave performed its rendition of “Twist and Shout.”

Based on Vancouver Event

The festival is adapted from a similar celebration that has been running 15 years in Vancouver, Canada, said Nels Lund, artistic director. Lund, who was involved in children’s festivals in Vancouver and Winnipeg, said that, when he moved to San Diego County, he wanted to start a similar festival here.

“It’s the first of more to come,” said Lund, of Cardiff. “It’s based on the concept of a festival where families can come out and truly enjoy being together.”

Lund thrives on making kids, whether they’re 2 or 92, happy. A children’s performer since his 8-year-old daughter Erica was born, Lund performs Sunday nights at Samson’s restaurant in La Jolla. The children’s festival is a two-year dream come true, he said.

“This is a happy event; it makes people feel so good. The workers--the ones behind the scene--we feel the same kind of love, joy and excitement that the guests do. This is what’s in my head,” he said, pointing to the surrounding tents. “This is what I eat, sleep and dream. This is something of real value for our community, and it’s basically free.”

Schoolteacher Nancy Sunday agreed. Sunday, who teaches at the Balboa Elementary School, took her daughters, Sara, 5, and Hannah, 1, to enjoy the festivities.

“I think it’s great; there’s a variety of things to do,” Sunday said. “I’d love to see more things like this, especially since it’s free. Where I teach, in the Southeast area, they don’t have enough money to do a lot of things. For families to go to somewhere like Sea World or the zoo is just prohibitive.”

Lots of Support

All activities except performances at the main stage are free. Tickets for performances range from $4.50 to $5.50.

Dozens of professional and private organizations have joined the effort to finance and support the event, said festival Treasurer Stuart Cohen. The San Diego Park and Recreation Department is a co-sponsor of the event, and more than 50 other organizations lent a hand.

“It’s the first of many more bigger and better festivals. On a shoestring budget we put together what we feel is quality entertainment for families. We’re hoping they’ll come out here and enjoy and then get involved themselves,” Cohen said.

“What is there for professional entertainment for kids in this city? We hope we will complement other activities for children. It’s timely that we’re starting our program in the Year of the Child,” he added, referring to Mayor Maureen O’Connor’s theme for the city this year.