Though summer temperatures persist, many are eager to jump into fall festivities.
The second annual Family Fall Fest is this Sunday, Sept. 22, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Gilford Hall (257 Bells Lane).
Hosted by Children and Youth Entertainment Simcoe County (CANDY) Entertainment, co-founders, Reena Tagger-Saint Louis and Justyna Truskolaski say they are proud to offer this free event to the community.
“We welcome all of Simcoe County to join us. We formed as a local, free or low-cost entry not-for-profit so that every family can have the chance to participate in local events, without the concern of having to fork out hundreds of dollars to show their children a good time,” Tagger-Saint, president of CANDY Entertainment, said.
“We know times are hard for everyone and this is why we want to make family fun accessible to all.”
All games and activities, such as inflatable games — weather permitting — face painting and bead making will be available for all children to enjoy at no cost.
“We will have children's characters roaming throughout the day — look out for Mario, Sonic and a few princesses,” Tagger-Saint Louis said.
PK from Innisfil Brazilian Jiujitsu will be conducting a demonstration between 12:30 and 1:30 p.m. inside Gilford Hall, and vendors selling baked goods, pasta, freeze-dried candy, artisanal products, and jewellery will be in attendance.
There will be pizza from Domino’s Pizza, an ice cream truck will be onsite, and the CANDY team will be selling hot dogs.
CANDY’s other team members, which include Coun. Jennifer Richardson and Coun. Grace Constantine, Andrea Diaz, Theresa Downton, Fabi Roustum, Nina La Costa, Tricia Tyrell, Awat Ebrahimi, and Kasia Rapcewicz, look forward to offering semi-annual events in the spring and fall moving forward.
“Last year's spring festival was at Gilford Hall. It is a great hidden venue,” Tagger-Saint Louis explained. “(It’s) such a beautiful area in Gilford and (we’re) really happy that we can help to bring exposure to families to visit this side of Innisfil.”
Tagger-Saint Louis and Truskolaski were inspired to form CANDY Entertainment as a not-for-profit organization after they learned that a family did not have the means to pay for entry at one of their past holiday events.
“We needed to come up with a solution,” Tagger-Saint Louis said. Sponsors such as Sobeys, Dream Parties, Innisfil Backyard Bounce, Innisfil Pop-up Market and Domino’s Pizza enable CANDY Entertainment to continue organizing complimentary events that offer fun for the whole family.
They will be collecting non-perishable food items for the Innisfil Food Bank.
“We are collecting from those that have the means to donate,” Tagger-Saint Louis said. “If you do not have the means, we do not require this. We would like to give back and help as much as we can as time(s) are really rough for many families due to the current state of the (economy).”
Though entry to — and activities at — the Family Fall Fest are free, she said, “We will have some amazing vendors there and highly suggest bringing cash so you can enjoy some food or grab some amazing products from our local vendors.”
“We hope to have an amazing turnout and welcome all to... this inclusive, local event for family fun!” Tagger-Saint Louis said.
To learn more about CANDY Entertainment — including how to become a sponsor of upcoming events — follow its Instagram account here.
