Annual Kinderfest
at the Hansa Haus

Weiss-Blau-Bayern Junior Schuhplattler Group hosted the 13^th annual Kinderfest as they have done all these many years. And, as always, it was a rousing success.

Scott Siegner, President of the Weiss-Blau Bayern Schuhplattlers, explained: "Kinderfest is a celebration of children and cultural dance. It is also about community and fellowship, allowing all of our children to meet, interact and enjoy the performances of children from other ethnic backgrounds and communities participating in their respective ethnic dances and keeping those traditions alive". What a wonderful thought!

Weiss-Blau Bayern Junior Dancers

Guests at this year’s get-together were Concordia Club’s "Alpine Junior Dancers" and the Enzian Junior Dancers from Kitchener, the Youth Dancers and "Funkenmariechen" from the Loreley Club in Oshawa, the Shiamak’s Indo Jazz Dance Movement, Mississauga, the Cracovia Polish Dance Ensemble, Brampton, the Macedonian Folklore Ensemble Ilinden, Mississauga, and the Woodgate School of Irish Dance from Brampton.

Shiamak's Indo Jazz Dance Movement - Mississauga

The instructor or mirror of enthusiasm

Concordia Enzian Junior Schuhplattler Verein - Kitchener

Macedonian Folklore Ensemble Ilinden - Mississauga

Cracovia Polish Dance Ensemble - Brampton

Alpine Junior Dancers - Kitchener

K.G. Loreley Youth Dancers - Oshawa

It was magnificent and heart-warming to observe the fervour and enthusiasm demonstrated at each of the various performances. The outstanding costumes added significantly to the colour of this occasion. This – plus the proficiency on the dance floor - was not lost on the large audience and often rewarded with extensive applause.

The Parade

At the end of the event – and long awaited by the youngsters – came the Piñata game.

The Piñata

The kids formed a large circle on the floor and the Piñata was lowered in the centre. A number of youngsters from the circle were selected, blindfolded and given a stick to try to knock the Piñata down to free the candy it contained. Needless to say it took many tries and some frustrations to finally end this adventure to the delight of the kids scrambling for the goodies.

Before everyone went home the Tombola prices were made available. It was another added delight for many of the attendees.

As always

Dick Altermann