Meet Your Superhero!

Up in the sky, look! It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s your friendly neighborhood Wonder Woman!

Or maybe I’ve mixed up my superheroes. It can be tricky.

At a recent Toastmasters meeting, I was challenged to speak, extemporaneously, on what superpower I would choose and why. Fortunately for me, I had answered this question elsewhere and was able to fill the two-minute time slot without too much stumbling. I’m not always that lucky.

Without delving into my answer here, I do want to talk about superheroes because a whole bunch of them—along with a few princesses—are coming to Portage la Prairie! Make sure you and your children don’t miss out on meeting them.

Westpark Children’s Centre (a licensed, non-profit preschool) has already proven itself capable of throwing a superior carnival. Last year was the first time they took this excellent event to Stride Place, where they received nearly two thousand visitors! This year’s carnival promises to be even better, with improved traffic flow inside and out, and streamlined queues to help make your participation in all the activities even better.

For the price of admission, your kids will meet Superman, Wonder Woman, Spiderman, Elsa, Anna, Ariel, Belle, and Captain America. They’ll enjoy professional face painting, animal balloons, three different bouncy castles, a petting zoo, and twelve carnival games—each with prizes to be won. They can explore a real fire truck and police car. In addition, upon entry each ticket holder will receive a draw slip for the grand prize—a themed package of summer outdoor toys worth a hundred dollars!

Optional for-purchase items include rainbow auction tickets for a chance to win some awesome prizes, fifty-fifty tickets for a chance to win up to five hundred dollars, princess and superhero-themed glitter tattoos and party favors, photo booth pictures with a character for five dollars (purchase also comes with one draw slip for a prize), hot dogs, chips, drinks, popcorn, cotton candy, snow cones, and fancy coffee. The lobby will contain 35 craft and vendor tables.

Whew! Sounds to me like the ninety volunteers bringing us this event (under the leadership of super organizer Susan Hiebert, Director of the Westpark Children’s Centre), are all superheroes in their own right. You know what the best part is? All funds raised will go directly to creating more public daycare spaces in our community. You don’t need superpowers to know what a dire need this will meet. Last year’s carnival raised $26,000 toward the future daycare at Westpark, thanks to everyone who sponsored the event and who came to participate.

So, here’s your chance to be a real-life superhero to your kids and grandkids. Bring them to Stride Place on Saturday, May 25, from 10:00 – 2:00. Tickets cost $15 each (children under one year of age admitted free) and can be purchased at Westpark School, Byte Me Computers, and Stride Place.

As for me, I’ll be practicing my dubious superpowers in the main lobby, selling and signing my books. So please stop to say hello. I’d love to meet you!