(Credit: Children´s Festival)
The future of this family festival is uncertain due to a city policy that has forced it to move from the middle of Victoria Park back to the road
Doug Hillier, the organizer of the event, says City of London granted permission twice for rides to be installed in the park.
“We were after The City to let us continue in the middle of the park, but they then quoted a policy that does not permit us to be there. Now, we are going to be forced to go back to the road where the revenue was not as high and puts it at risk that we won’t be in 2025 if we can’t figure out how to make those rides more successful,” says Hillier.
(Credit: Children´s Festival)
“The City says it was temporary, but that situation helped draw a lot of people and thus far it has made it so the revenue was a lot better than it was on the street,” he adds.
According to Paul Yeoman, Director of Parks and Forestry, that was a temporary exemption to the City’s Policy so that rides could continue while nearby construction took place.
The City has shared with all festival organizers planning events this summer that electric rides can be set up on Dufferin Ave. or Wellington Rd which are close to the middle green space in the park and provide more space for other events features.
(Credit: Children´s Festival)
“It’ll still go on this year, but we don’t know if it is going to go on next year because the ride revenue is a big part of the festival´s revenue, and without it, we can’t pay the expenses.”
In ´Policies for the Use of Victoria Park´ City of London indicates “no mechanical or electrical rides will be permitted on the grass; ONLY inflatables or games may be permitted. Vehicle and trailers associated with amusement devices/inflatables will not be permitted inside the park (must be parked on the road or in parking lot”, which Hillier says would affect this celebration.
(Credit: Children´s Festival)
“London has become a large place with all of the new areas in development, but the center of the city is Victoria Park and we have to keep knowing that we can be loyal to the Richmond Row restaurants and clothing stores. When we come, we bring the activity downtown,” Hillier adds.
Despite these challenges, the London Children’s Festival is set to be held from June 14 to 16 with games, acrobats, magic, prizes, a reptile show, and roller skating, although its future remains uncertain.
