Date Range

1993-2003

Description Level

Item

Creator

Compilled by Jon Oxley

Physical Description

53 Files. 1489 Photographs

History Biographical

The Lethbridge Children’s Festival debuted in Galt Gardens in the summer of 1992, prior to the formal incorporation of the Lethbridge Children’s Festival Society (LCFS). The Festival drew on the experience and community energy of organizers involved with events such as the South Country Fair and was initially staged on a modest budget, featuring primarily local artists, musicians, and community organizations. Strong early support came from a wide range of private donors, non-profits, churches, the City of Lethbridge, the University of Lethbridge, the Helen Schuler Nature Centre, and the Galt Museum. Following the success of the inaugural festival, the LCFS was formally registered as a society in early 1993, allowing it to apply for grants and solicit donations. From 1993 through 2002, the Festival was held annually on the Sunday of the first weekend following Labour Day, intentionally positioned as a free, family-friendly event marking the close of summer. Throughout its history, the Festival remained entirely free to the public and featured performing artists, workshops, hands-on learning activities, parades, demonstrations, and participation from dozens of community agencies. Throughout the 1990s, the Festival grew in scale, reputation, and attendance. Estimates provided by City of Lethbridge officials and reported in local media placed annual attendance between 5,000 and 10,000 people, making it one of Alberta’s largest free festivals. As the event expanded to occupy most of Galt Gardens, the City invested in infrastructure improvements, including enhanced electrical capacity for the main stage. Festival budgets increased steadily, from the support of a combination of private donations and public grants, including funding from the Alberta Foundation for the Arts. Despite its popularity, the Festival faced increasing challenges in the early 2000s. In 2001, a second children’s festival began operating at Henderson Lake on the Saturday preceding the Lethbridge Children’s Festival, largely supported by local churches that preferred an event not held on Sunday. Although scheduled on a different day and at a different location, the proximity of the two festivals led to confusion among the public and competition for the same sponsors, grants, and donors. These pressures were compounded in 2002, when poor weather on the Festival’s Sunday further reduced attendance and financial support. As a volunteer-run organization with no paid staff, the LCFS struggled to sustain the level of effort required to continue under increasingly competitive conditions. After the 2002 Festival, the Society determined that future events were no longer viable and proceeded to wind down operations. Consistent with its bylaws, remaining funds were donated to the Lethbridge Regional Hospital Foundation for the pediatric ward. Over its eleven-year history, the Lethbridge Children’s Festival left a lasting legacy as a large-scale, inclusive community event made possible entirely through volunteer effort and broad civic support. Donated by Jon Oxley - Jon Oxley was a long-time volunteer and board member of the Lethbridge Children’s Festival Society. He was involved with the organization from its early years as a volunteer (1993–1995), later serving as Board Member and Secretary (1998–2000) and Vice-President (2000–2003). Oxley also designed and produced several official festival posters. His account reflects direct, first-hand experience with the planning, governance, and operation of the Festival over much of its lifespan.

Scope and Content

20261003/001 - Lethbridge Children's Festival, 22 Photos, 11am – 12pm Photos, Sept 7, 1997. 20261003/002 - 24 Photos, 12pm – 1pm, Sept 7, 1997. 20261003/003 - 25 Photos, 1pm – 2 pm, Sept 7, 1997. 20261003/004 - 24 Photos, 11am – 12pm, Sept 7, 1997. 20261003/005 - 1 Photo, 12pm – 1pm, Sept 7, 1997 20261003/006 - 21 Photos, 2pm – 3 pm, Sept 7, 1997 20261003/007 - 25 Photos, Outside Performers. 1997. 20261003/008 - 280 Photos, Miscellaneous Photos, Audience, Crowd, Performers, etc. 1995 – 2003. 20261003/009 - 18 Photos, Performers, Parachute Activity. 2000. 20261003/010 - 26 Photos, Audience, Performers, Crowd. 2000. 20261003/011 - 21 Photos, Petting Zoo, Maintenance Crew, Outside Games. 2000. 20261003/012 - 20 Photos, Demonstrations, Performers, etc. 2000. 20261003/013 - 22 Photos, Performers, Fire Department. 2000. 20261003/014 - 16 Photos, Performers, Games, etc. 2000. 20261003/015 - 21 Photos, Puppets, Ariel Photos. 2000. 20261003/016 - 18 Photos, Performers, Attendees, etc. 2000. 20261003/017 - 29 Photos, Fire Department, Booths. 2000. 20261003/018 - 23 Photos, Performers, etc. 2000. 20261003/019 - 25 Photos, Festival Set Up. 2001. 20261003/020 - 25 Photos, Ariel Photos. 2001. 20261003/021 - 24 Photos, Ariel Photos. 2001. 20261003/022 - 16 Photos, Japanese Performers. 2001. 20261003/023 - 18 Photos, Dog Show, etc. 2002. 20261003/024 - 24 Photos, Fire Department, Horse Carriage. 2002. 20261003/025 - 20 Photos, Green Fools, etc. 2002. 20261003/026 - 23 Photos, Dog Show, etc. 2002. 20261003/027 - 23 Photos, Ribbon Dancers, Face Painters, etc. 1998. 20261003/028 - 57 Photos, Green Fools, Performers, etc. 1998. 20261003/029 - 27 Photos, Volunteers, etc. 1998. 20261003/030 - 31 Photos, Performers, Outside Activities, etc. 1998. 20261003/031 - 14 Photos, Puppets, Green Fools, etc. 1998. 20261003/032 - 22 Photos, Community Booths of Lethbridge Rangers, Howel House, etc. 1998. 20261003/033 - 15 Photos, Outside Crowd, Puppets, etc. 1998. 20261003/034 - 28 Photos, Costume Parade, Hoop Dancers, etc. 1998. 20261003/035 - 18 Photos, Furies, Flyin’ Bob, Maintenance Crew, etc. 1998. 20261003/036 - 18 Photos, Flyin’ Bob, Crowd, etc. 1998, 20261003/037 - 6 Photos, Petting Zoo, CTV News Camera Man, etc. 1999. 20261003/038 - 16 Photos, Dog Show, etc. 1999. 20261003/039 - 8 Photos, Performers, etc. 1999. 20261003/040 - 34 Photos, Green Fools, etc. 1999. 20261003/041 - 40 Photos, Performers, Crowd, etc. 1999. 20261003/042 - 55 Photos, Maintenance Crew, etc. 1999. 20261003/043 - 18 Photos, Costume Parade, etc. 1999. 20261003/044 - 16 Photos, Bouncy Castle, Craft Station, 1999. 20261003/045 - 22 Photos, Airplane, Info Booths, etc. [1999?] 20261003/046 - 18 Photos, Green Fools, Maintenance Crew, etc. [1999?] 20261003/047 - 18 Photos, Activity Centers, Performers, etc. 1999. 20261003/048 - 48 Photos, Green Fools, Large Scale Games, Demonstrations, etc. 1997 20261003/049 - 18 Photos, Costume Parade, etc. 1997. 20261003/050 - Annual Reports, Meeting Agenda & Minutes, Grant Applications, Permits, etc. 1993 – 2002. 20261003/051 - Poster Advertisements, 2000 - 2002 20261003/052 - 108 Photos, DVD, 2000 – 2002. 20261003/053 - Summary of the Festival Society History, 2026.

Accession No.

20261003

Collection

Archive

Less detail