Family focused events aren’t unheard of when visiting Toronto but that doesn’t mean you have to settle on sing-songy shows with cartoonesque characters. One such fun and funky even is Toronto independent music company Arts & Crafts’ Field Trip.
The two-day festival takes place at Fort York & Garrison Common on June 7 and 8 2014 and it will fill your senses with music, art, food, and fun. This year’s festival features one of our Junior Style Bloggers’ favourite acts, Chvrches, plus additional performers like Interpol, Broken Social Scene, Constantines, A Tribe Called Red, Gord Downie and The Sadies, and more over the two-day event.
I love the idea of exposing the kids to new and interesting music, a nice change from the days of the Wiggles and One Direction. Along with a music filled day you’ll also find 17 food and beverage vendors, an Etsy Marketplace, manicures by Pinky’s Nails and an on-site barber shop by Crow’s Nest and so much more.
“Around the festival grounds you’ll find even more awesome creative activities, artist collaborations and bespoke vendors. There’s so much to explore and experience that we couldn’t fit it all in one day, so Field Trip is now a weekend-long celebration of our city, our creative communities, our global spirit and our love of music,” said Jeffrey Remedios, co-founder and president of Arts & Crafts.
Field Trip as a family-friendly event invites kids 12 and under for free and there will be a number of youth-focused programming featured heavily throughout the weekend including:
Day Camp at Field Trip – Field Trip’s official centre for family activity includes a wealth of youth friendly programming including hula hoops, a bouncy castle and mini-performances by Juno Award-winning children’s artist Emilie Mover and festival performers Megan Bonnell, Lowell and Reuben And The Dark.
Etsy Marketplace – The online global marketplace of handmade and vintage goods, Etsy will pop-up at Field Trip again this year with a marketplace featuring six Toronto-based sellers.
Drake General Store – Drake General Store has partnered with Kensington Market-based Crow’s Nest Barbershop offering classic barbershop cuts, Queen West’s Pinky’s Nail Art will work their magic with custom nail art, press-ons and quick manicures, plus Speakeasy Tattoo, who will outfit kids with temporary tattoos and face painting.
Live Art Installations – Field Trip will play host to numerous local artist installations throughout the grounds, further highlighting Toronto’s incredible art community.
And when the mood strikes you can enjoy food bites from Buster’s Seacove, Augie’s Ice Pops, The Good Press, Gourmet Gringos and Fidel Gastro, to name a few. Plus you can bring in your own sealed snacks and bottled water.
Weekend passes are available for $125, with single-day general admission tickets retailing for $75. Tickets are available via Ticketmaster and through independent Toronto retailers Rotate This (801 Queen St. W.) and Soundscapes (572 College St.).
I’m excited that Field Trip opens up a fun cultural experience that both parents and kids can enjoy.