The Winnipeg International Children’s Festival, June 9 to 12, is set to bring acrobats, contortionists and an adults-only event featuring unlimited hot dogs to their 33rd annual event at The Forks. 

“We have our usual selection of national and international artists as well as a lot of circus acts this year,” Neal Rempel, the festival’s executive director, says.

Rempel highlights performer Jonathan Burns, making his Winnipeg debut with his Flexible Comedy show, as a must-see for this year. The Pennsylvania-based performance artist has been featured on The Late Show with David Letterman, The Jay Leno Show and most recently on The Late Show with James Corden. 

In addition to performances from Fred Penner, Circus Incognitus (Quebec) and H’Sao (Quebec by way of Chad), visitors can see a preview for the 2017 Canada Summer Games (hosted in Winnipeg next summer), participate in engineering and geoscience activities on ‘Engineering Friday’ and build with Bricks 4 Kidz, a LEGO-based workshop. 

People aged 18 and over are invited to join the after hours event on Friday evening. 

“This year will be the second time we run our after hours event. Last year’s event was hosted by Fred Penner because he has so many adult fans, and this year’s show will be hosted by Al Simmons,” Rempel says. 

The party will also include H’sao and Jonathan Burns with an all you can eat hot dog buffet with gourmet toppings and adult beverages. 

“Get your tickets online or just come on down – it’s going to be a great weekend!”

Published in Volume 70, Number 27 of The Uniter (June 2, 2016)