In 1987, the second year of the festival, Karen Bailey-Romanko found the Duck Man, who was living in Sandpoint, Idaho. By 1990, he was back by popular demand, and returned to the festival many, many times. So many in fact, he became a legend!

From an online article:

Jerry Luther stands tall above the crowd at well over 6 feet, but his spirit is that of a child.

Luther, believes there is something special about youth, whether it is a time of eagerness and simple joy of life or freedom to be one’s self that comes so naturally for a child.

That belief caused him to start a puppet show, and he and his handcrafted marionette ducks have made fast friends with audiences for the past four decades. He is known for gliding through fairs and gatherings with his duck marionettes and a boom box playing music. He used to make and sell puppets, but now just performs with his ducks.

In one interview, he said that his goal was to use puppetry and storytelling to create a place where children can dream.

I wanted to create magical moments for children and their families. I was honored to also be part of the Kootenay children’s Festival Board as well and helped behind the scenes to make this amazing “Free” event for all families.  To see such delight and happiness in everyone was always something to look forward to. Many people from the community have volunteered countless hours over the 40 years to make this incredible event happen. It is truly a hallmark event for Cranbook.

I was involved for 10 -15 years

So many memories to choose from, but if there was one it would be every year when I was there, Princess Alyssa Bartraw always dressed in one of her beautiful princess dresses and crown, would always come running across the open field to greet me with the biggest hugs! She would stand beside me while I made balloons and sing songs with me.  I would purposely sing the wrong lyrics and she would always lightly tap my knee and say “PT that is not the right words and correctly sing the right words with me so I got it right.”  She inspired me to produce a children’s musical cd and read along book on the cd.  Much Music helped me produce the cd and then I drove to the Calgary Children’s Hospital and presented the dedicated cd to her.  When I arrived at the hospital she once again came running with her IV in tow and yelled, “PT! My Favorite Clown!” My heart melted.  She was the most beautiful biggest hearted Princess.  How blessed am I to have known her.

My hope for the future of the festival is the continue “free” for all families to enjoy and make many magical happy memories! It is truly a Hallmark that makes Cranbrook such a special community for all!

Karen was one of the original, core members of the Children’s Festival, and was involved for many years, beginning in 1987. She fondly remembers being the person who found and arranged for The Sandpoint Duck Man’s first appearance, and being the one who researched where to find and buy “the good face paint,” the brand which the festival still uses today.

Some of her shared memories:

· Most importantly, that the festival was intended to foster a “youth helping youth focus,” and the beginning involvement of groups such as the Sam Steele Sweethearts (now the Youth Ambassadors), the Cadets, and the Key Youth group.

· How Max’s used to donate all the cookies for the cookie decorating table, and how the festival team would count how many children attended based on how many cookies they gave out.

· How the team featured well known children’s performers.

· How Johnny Ogden used to volunteer as a cartoonist, and that families would cherish the artwork for years after.

· The first t-shirt contest, held the year she joined.

· How after many years, she finally made the difficult decision to leave – “My kids never had a springtime, because Mom was so busy…”

Her favourite memory -- Seeing everyone working together and the smiles on the children’s faces!

We would like to thank her for her many years of hard work and dedication.

Karin has been with the festival since the beginning, and has spent countless hours over the year,s supporting what it’s grown into. She also has facilitated the Youth Ambassador’s involvement, and continues to volunteer every year with them as they run the Electric Hair installation.

“Being a part of the Children's Festival for many years has brought me pure enjoyment and many smiles.”

“It's fun to step back and just watch the joy and happiness on so many faces and to listen to the music and laughter.”

"It's a wonderful day for our city"

“But we all know that things don't "just" happen. It takes time, people and money to stage an event such as the Children's Festival.”

“To me, the real Heros are the organizers, the volunteers and the sponsors. Without you, this would never happen.”

THANK YOU

I became involved with the Children’s Festival 40 years ago.  The first festival was held at the college.  It was an indoor-outdoor event established by a group of parents and I helped out. 
I continued helping with this important family event because there were three simple principles that the festival established for clear direction and purpose:
1. No cost to families to attend
2. No commercialism or pressure to buy anything
3. No competition. There are no winners or losers. 

My personal goal was to have a Children’s Festival where no child cried because all were engaged in an activity. 

Overall, I volunteered for about 15 years. 
My fondest memory is the weaving wall.  I prefer activities that encourage all family members to participate equally. 

I used old netting and attached it to the entire soccer goal post in front of Key City Theatre.  Weaving materials were provided and the effect was amazing.  Children and parents wove at their height levels. The entertainer on stilts came by and wove up high!   

For years, the climbing wall was a very popular and challenging activity.  We always scraped up enough money to hire it from Nelson. It showed many parents that they did not know everything their children could do if they tried. It showed children they could achieve at a new challenge. 

My first grandchild was born in 2006 and I attended the Children’s Festival in 2008 with Chase and my daughter-in-law Courtney.

I have been involved for 14 years from 2009 to 2023 for some of those years I was a volunteer but also on the committee.

My fondest memory was seeing the kids having fun at all of the different stations. And the single mom who said this was like taking her kids on a holiday.

My hope for the future of the festival is for it to be able to continue as a free event for all and to grow with the community. I am glad to see it at Rotary Park and the Farmers’ Market.

Being involved in the community through volunteerism is a fundamental part of the Youth Ambassador Program. And, what better way to get involved than to have youth supporting youth? Every year, our team comments on how amazing it is to be part of this special tradition and we are grateful for the opportunity to participate.

We have been involved for over 20 years.

As we have been running the hair tent, there are MANY good memories every year. From the excited faces, to singing songs, to the giggles, and the way the little ones proudly show off their wild hair or glittery creations to their family, the fondest memory is less about one moment and more about the collective feeling of joy we experience every year as we see the festival through the eyes of the children.

This festival is such a wonderful opportunity for our youth. Our hope is that it continues to be a free, long-standing tradition in our community supported by an army of engaged volunteers so that future generations can be part of it!

Brian’s only been involved with the festival for last 4 years, however his impact has been so meaningful. As a local professional photographer, he’s wandered around and captured many of its most memorable moments. His gift is in presenting every person he takes a photo of as a hero themselves.

He loves witnessing the multigenerational aspect of the festival, and remembers when his own children attended. He also simply loves being around children, seeing the pictures year after year as families grow up, and is very proud of the magical moments he’s been able to share. “My job is to compliment and convey the feelings and atmosphere,” of the festival. “I feel really positive hearing all the children and the laughter.”

His gift is creating comfortable moments with people, (where they can simply be themselves), and to capture the special moments with entertainers in unique and different ways every time.

When asked about his fondest memory, Brian shared that it, “has to be climbing to the top of the firetruck ladder with a firefighter - twice!” He was not only able to take aerial photos of the park below, but was able to capture and share a photo of the firefighter that high in the air. And what an amazing photo it was!

His hope for the future of the festival was a little harder to pin down….

“Every year I go I wonder; can it get any better?”