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ROMA at THREE RIVERS PEI Fête Children’s Activities |
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Children at Fête Roma 2005 Fête Roma Sept 24th and 25th entertained children as much as adults.
In fact many children participated even before the Fête weekend as special volunteers visited their classrooms to teach something of this pioneer history of our community. Elizabeth LeLacheur coordinated a team of volunteer presenters who spoke to 620 children in six elementary schools of eastern PEI this month in costume and with 1700s clothing for the children to try on. All students who created pictures or essays about the clothing of the era had their work displayed at the Pavilion during the Fête and “Jean Pierre Roma” himself presented special prizes (toys similar to what his own children played with) to the winners chosen by a select group of high school students. [Click here for a list of prize-winners and photos from the school presentations.]
On site during the Fête, some children had fun tagging along with their parents for the 1 km heritage tour or the more athletic did the longer nature tour, both led by costumed guides who explained and entertained.
But new to the Fête this year were the special activities just for kids on Sunday afternoon. A wonderful big sandbox with hidden treasures awaited the little ones and older children enjoyed making crafts with Greer and Clayton Coe. Cornhusk brooms and stone “critters” in the hands of many children by the end of the afternoon. Michael Pendergast strolled with his accordion much of the afternoon and pause mid-afternoon in the children’s play area for singing and story-telling. With his penny whistle, he lead the children as the “Pied Piper of Souris”! Of course many things fun for kids were enjoyable for the adults too. Whole families tried on clothing to get their photo taken by Pat Hayes showing how they might have looked if they’d been here in the 1700s. And of course everyone enjoyed eating. Roma’s people didn’t always eat well, but parties were special times for feasting. French cuisine was even then world famous so our concessionaires offered appropriate tasty treats we know you’ll enjoy … shellfish, corn on the cob, cider, and more. Hundreds came to Roma at Three Rivers on Hwy 319 for Fête Roma Sept. 24th and 25th to absorb history as they enjoyed the children, the food, and the music. Original article by Brenda Dewar published in the Eastern Graphic Sept. 14, 2005. Updated October 3, 2005 |
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Photos by Brenda Dewar & Rita Donahoe |