Focus on kids for Friendship Day
For the fifth year in a row, the Lennoxville Youth Center tombola will be at the Friendship Day festival, but this year Townshippers can enjoy brand new activities.
“We’re really hoping the new games will take off,” said Kohl Kelso, member of the Friendship Day committee and head of the youth center. “We wanted our activities to be kid oriented.”
In addition to the ever popular dunk tank and classic fairground games like the ring toss, the committee is bringing to the table a giant twister board, peddlepowered go-karts and new inflatable games; treats that young ones (and not-so-young ones) are sure to love.
“It’s great because we’ve been seeing more and more younger families. People who’ve just moved here and are getting to know the borough, young couples, families with young kids,” said Kelso. “They’re what Friendship Day is all about. It’s a wonderful opportunity to showcase the community, meet people, and get these new families involved.”
Starting right after the parade, the tombola will take place in the St-antoine schoolyard around 11 a.m. In addition to the arcade games, Kelso said that also in the program was a giant tent where children can go get their faces painted and participate in arts and craft projects, and over on Hunting street, there will be a painting kiosk.
It is far from being Kelso’s first participation in Friendship Day. He said it has always been a positive experience for him.
“Friendship day has always been in my life, in one way or another.” He reminisces. “When I was younger, it’d come for the fireworks. Now I’ve taken an active part in the festivities for eight years, more or less.”
Kelso marvelled at how long Friendship Day has been going on, with this year being its 28th edition, and said that it was a testament to the spirit of Lennoxville. “It’s a very long standing tradition, especially for such a small town. It shows how important it is to the community. Once they embrace something, they hold on to it.”
“Friendship Day is one of our larger fundraisers” added Kelso about the youth center. “We use the proceeds to pay for our activities throughout the year.”
Kelso hopes to see many participants enjoy the new games. They will be open until 4 p.m. after which everyone can head out to see the fireworks show at Atto Beaver Park.