Toddler Tourist

— by Hillary Handy

How did you make out with our Park Passport adventure from our last issue? Our winner was Susan Grant, who did go to five parks and sent a photo! Congratulations Susan!

It is a joy to find fun, affordable outings for you and your family. I mean, my children and I have been the recipient of most of the fun in my travels, but we are here for you. We are so blessed to live in the North Simcoe region with access to incredible opportunities that people travel to from afar. I want others to experience the good times as well.

As we are in full summer mode now, you have probably been out and about like we have. We have been swimming. We visited the parks. We have paid for outings and found some freebies in our travels. We have had home days. We have done day camp. But there is one event every summer that needs to be on your calendar: Mariposa Folk Festival.

For the past two years, I have been fortunate to be able to go to Mariposa Folk Festival and take in the experience! Having not grown up in Orillia, I knew OF this event, but did not really get it. Well, now I get it! This is the most exciting and highly acclaimed event of the summer, nay, year, in Orillia.

This event is a paid event, so you need to purchase your adult passes ahead of time. If you time it right, they make excellent birthday and holiday gifts for yourself. Just saying! The weekend pass is quite a steal of a deal, when you consider all of the incredible artists you have access to, the market, the vibe and the memories for three days…it’s priceless. But the best part of the experience is that kids under 12 can attend with you for FREE! A great idea is to have a date night Friday and catch the shows late with your partner and then attend Saturday or Sunday during the day with all the fun activities in Folkplay.

Mariposa organizers have the Folkplay area set-up specifically for children in mind. There are art projects, crafts, music demonstrations, and various community booths set-up to engage with, including seeing wildlife ambassadors from the Wye Marsh. Free tattoos and face-painting is always a hit at any age. There is the Children’s Stage set-up with child-centric performances like Dr. Bonkers, magicians, Splash and Boots typically make an appearance, and a special visit from Sharon of Sharon, Lois and Bram this year brought back all the nostalgia for millennial parents.

At one point during my weekend, I had some nice, quality time with my niece, who is a tween. It was great to see Mariposa through her eyes and what was of interest to her. It reminded me that this is truly a magical space for all ages and stages. She was happy to do a workshop with me, grab some snacks from the food trucks and get some free tattoos. Once your children are 13, you can buy a special discounted youth pass as well. This festival is one of the safest spaces I have ever witnessed. There are countless, highly visible volunteers everywhere you look. You are able to register your child in the event you become separated and the team can support in a quick relocation. There are security guards and police on-site at various checkpoints. Lastly, the physical space is not that large and is very well-contained. I bumped into my freely roaming nieces multiple times during the day.

If you’re worried about travel, there is paid parking on-site where you can tow around your wagon or stroller with ease. There are some free options off-site, but also a shuttle that runs from various locations in Orillia. So, if you have older children and can back-pack it, you’re golden to hop on and off the shuttle. You are able to bring your own snacks and lunch, but there is a row of delicious food truck options and alcohol can only be purchased in designated locations. There are activities happening constantly everywhere you look. The Community Village showcases the various groups, activities and social service agencies in Orillia, so it is a joy to be able to engage with community partners and see what is happening in our region. There are art workshops for all ages to participate in. There are stages everywhere you look. There is quite literally something for everyone.

I know one family who makes Mariposa Folk Festival the family event of the summer. They began with bringing their babies and swaying to music in a snuggly, baby-carrier to now having teenagers who roam freely with their friends. Some people from out of town love to camp, both tent and RV, and take in the whole festival vibe. The ease of having a weekend pass is being able to come and go. If the weather is too hot and sweaty…go home for naptime and come back a few hours later. This is one of the biggest benefits of living and playing in our region. What other people travel to, we have in our own backyard.

Whether you have a toddler or a tween, consider adding Mariposa Folk Festival to your calendar for next summer. Buy your tickets early and then begin planning for the best weekend of your year: https://mariposafolk.com/.