Children's festival opens in Calgary for 30th year

The 30th edition of the Calgary International Children's Festival got underway on Wednesday.

Mayor Naheed Nenshi was joined by Calgary Kidsfest board chair Carri Clarke, a Treaty 7 Elder, and an alp horn player to officially open this year's event.

"This is my favourite week of the year here in Olympic Plaza," Nenshi said.

"It's not just a lot fun over a few days, it's a real introduction to the arts life for our youngest citizens, and I think that is really, really important."

This year's lineup includes critically acclaimed shows like Celestial Being, about a young girl who dreams of travelling into space, Under the Stars, a Hansel and Gretel reboot, and Doktor Kaboom, about a slightly mad scientist, organizers say.

Since its inception in 1987, the annual event has become "one of the most prominent arts festivals of its kind in Canada and the largest presenter of performing arts for young people in Calgary," the festival's website says.

"It's exciting to now see adults who had their first exposure to performing arts through the Calgary International Children's Festival now bringing their children to experience that same magic."

The shows are staged in nine venues at Arts Commons at 829 Macleod Trail S.E. and there are lots of free activities in the Olympic Plaza outside.

The festival runs from May 25 to May 28.