All ages find festival fun

There's a satisfied feeling you get when you find an activity the whole family can enjoy. How often do you find a movie that truly delights both young and old? How wearying is it to have to drag your older child along on those 'less-than-cool-for-those-over-six' outings? Here is one kid- and parent-pleasing activity that will leave you with that great feeling well through the summer, or at least until the next singing dinosaur concert comes around.
The Oakville Waterfront Festival has it all. Taking place June 20 to 22 in Coronation Park, it boasts an array of activities that appeal to toddlers, teens, thirty-somethings and beyond.
Most appealing this year will be the 'Whole Foods Market' Family Day taking place on the Sunday, starting with a pancake breakfast and culminating with the grand finale: Majinx Carnival of Wonders, featuring comedy, magic, juggling and crazy characters. In between there's a family gardening activity, science show, reptile show, special price at the theme park, magic workshop, and a whole cast of street performers and buskers.
The Children's Village is time well spent with little ones, with many opportunities for hands-on fun. Pizza Pizza presents the Backyard Circus and Puppet Parade. Bring the children and watch as they become lions and tigers performing right before your eyes. During each show, one lucky child is shot from the cannon! Following the presentation, each family parades with life size circus puppets through the park. For budding builders there's the Home Depot booth. For budding artists there's Jake's Birthday Party Tent. There's also Reptilia Reptile Zoo, Science North, YTV W.O.W., Try-On Armour, a giant sandbox, a bouncy inflatable, baseball action, and more.
Older kids will love the Jack of All Tricks Skateboard show. They can watch as expert skateboarders compete, or they can take part themselves. On Friday night Graffiti artists show you how it's done — properly and respectfully and give lessons on mastering the art without vandalizing. The resulting artwork will be on display all weekend.
Fans of all ages love the Purina ProPlan Dog Stars which feature the famous McCann dogs. It is a highly energized canine competition that's wild and riotous fun. Several shows Saturday and Sunday.
But the Festival doesn't forget about Mom and Dad. There's the CIBC Craft Show, Health & Wellness Village, Gardening presentations by HGTV hosts, entertainment at the Sleeman Patio, and evening concerts on the Waterfront Stage, all topped off with the  Sunveil Sunwear fireworks show on Saturday night.
All this is included in the price of admission (with the exception of theme park & refreshments). If purchased in advance, tickets are just $13 each, or $11 each when you buy five or more. Children three & under are free. Tickets can be purchased now at any Shopper's Drug Mart, most Oakville banks, or on-line at www.oakvillefestival.com. After June 19th, tickets are $15 each at the gate. Also great for families, Oakville Transit operates free shuttle bus service at Sheridan College, Oakville GO Station and Bronte GO Station to and from the Festival all weekend long.
This is one of those great family weekends sure to become a tradition.