A record-breaking 2,500 people came to celebrate the fifth anniversary of Family Fair Day on September 18. The perfect fall day no doubt helped encourage members of the Concordia and Montreal community to head to the Recreation and Athletics Complex on the Loyola Campus to take in the wide range of activities.
Fair-goers saw acts ranging from BMX bike stunts to a Circus Montreal performer, had their faces painted, made crafts, played on the inflatable slide, watched ice cream being made with liquid nitrogen, enjoyed the entertainment on the main stage emceed by Nikki of Virgin Radio 96, and dug into hot dogs and hamburgers.
Kara Yamich came with Jacqueline, 5, and Sam, 3, for the first time after hearing about the event from a friend. “It’s more than I expected,” she said as they waited in line for Concordia’s deans to dish up BBQ fare. “It’s cool. It’s a great outing for the kids.” Her children had been enchanted by the owl at the on-site ecomuseum.
Linnea Landbo, 5, won a T-shirt from the Funky Feet performer, who’d encourage a couple dozen kids-- and some adults--to dance with her. Linnea’s mother, Hanne, came to last year’s Family Fair Day, and she was particularly impressed with all the activities and performances this time around. “What you have this year is more than the average,” she said.
Jean-Andre Moussignac, entering his third season with the Stingers basketball team, said he was happy to spend his Sunday afternoon shooting hoops with the kids. It was because of older players spending time with him when he was little that he developed a love for the game.
“That’s why I did it today: Maybe one of them will continue on and play,” Moussignac said. Did he spot anyone with potential? “Some of them are super good!”
It’s fair to say this is one Homecoming event that will be around for a while.
The organizers wish to thank all the partners and sponsors: TD Insurance Meloche Monnex, BMO Financial Group, Manulife Financial, Bravo, Virgin Radio, Fiesta, Kloda Focus Group, Groupe Gabriel, Reebok, Via Rail Canada, Voyages Groupe Idéale, Old Dutch, Labrador Source, Kidnasium, Funky Feet, Mr. Puffs, Girl Guides of Canada/Guides du Canada, Cat Location Hewitt Inc., Giggles, C.S.T. RESP, and the Concordia University Alumni Association.
