Theatre, dance and interactive fun are all on the bill for kids, parents and teachers as the Ottawa International Children’s Festival returns for its 26th year. From June 1 to 5, LeBreton Flats will be transformed into an extravaganza of performing arts especially for kids.

“It’s very rare that theatre artists of this calibre with programming specifically for young children are in our city, so it’s not something to be missed,” said festival spokesperson Charlotte Juane.

This year’s program features an all-new roster of Canadian and international performers, including Sursault (Sherbrooke, Quebec), Trickster (Switzerland), Imago Theatre (USA), Stillmotion/Starcatchers (Scotland), and four groups from Italy, La Società della Civetta, Teatronecessario, Teatro delle Briciole and Compagnia Rodisio.

“They’re all very different from one another and for different ages of people,” Juane said, “So I’m just really excited to see each one of them myself because I’ve not seen any of these performances live myself.”

In Between Shows
There’s also plenty to see and do between shows, including face-painting by Quebec City’s Kromatik, a family games pavilion and Mobile Circus School workshops. Wandering throughout the festival will be buskers from Circus Montreal, Gatineau’s Mini Cirque and Ottawa’s Shakespearean clowns, A Company of Fools.

New this year is the Children’s Climate Change Forest, a special project by area schoolchildren working with Dr. John Stone, a Carleton University climate scientist, and visual and dramatic artists.

Interactive Performances
The forest of created trees and interactive performances within it are designed to explore the ways in which our environment is changing and practical ways kids can help protect it.

 ”Our tickets have been selling since January, and we have quite a few sold out shows and still lots to sell,” Juan said.

Festival tickets are available through ticketweb.ca or by calling (613) 241-0009.