60th annual Children’s Festival wraps up in Jacksonville

JACKSONVILLE, Ore. – The 60th annual Children’s Festival finished its three-day summer run at the Britt Gardens on Monday afternoon.

Organized by the non-profit Storytelling Guild, the milestone anniversary event featured more than 30 interactive booths where children participated in activities ranging from gold panning to tie-dye and carpentry.

Despite a brief challenge from poor air quality caused by the nearby East Evans Creek Fire on Sunday, clear skies and cooling misters returned Monday just in time for the final wave of young creators.

The festival’s six decades of history took center stage as co-founder Jeanette Paulson returned to share tales beneath the iconic Storytelling Tree, decades after helping launch the tradition in 1967.

Kids and parents were treated to live stage performances, free books, and special appearances by PBS Kids’ Nature Cat. Even disposal duty became an attraction thanks to “Rosabelle” and “Pebbles,” the large, litter-eating dragon trash receptacles that surprised children by thanking them.

All proceeds from the weekend’s ticket sales and the “Dragon Deli” go directly toward supporting the Storytelling Guild’s ongoing children’s literacy programs.

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