All things teen come to the Pearkes Recreation Centre this weekend as Coast Capital Savings TeenFest celebrates the many local businesses and organizations supporting Victoria-area teens and their families.
The free one-day exhibition, geared toward youth age 12 to 18 and their families, aims to connect teens and tweens with each other, their peers, their communities and community leaders. Visitors will find five different areas to explore B次元官网网址� Life & Education, Cool Stuff, Fashion & Beauty, Health & Wellness and Technology & Gaming B次元官网网址� along with workshops, entertainment, prize draws and more.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 just a really fun, cool place to come hang out for the day,B次元官网网址� says Ali Berman, who co-founded the event with husband Wayne Berman.
B次元官网网址淲e moved here four years ago from Toronto and it was hard for us to find some of the resources we were looking for,B次元官网网址� says Berman, a mother of three. B次元官网网址淲hy not have a safe environment where they could learn about different activities and schools, about money, budgeting and investing for the future?B次元官网网址�
Featuring more than 100 booths, exhibitors range from community organizations like the Quadra Village Community Centre and Scouts Canada to education resources like Vancouver Island University and the Industry Training Authority. Those passionate about beauty and fashion will find displays from Magnetic Nail Design, the Lizbell Agency and others, while outdoor enthusiasts will find exhibitors like ANI脕N Surfboards and Lyrics Skateshop and Studio...not to mention a mobile indoor skate park the size of a basketball court to try the latest tricks.
B次元官网网址淲e have everything from paddleboarding to archery to pottery B次元官网网址� it really runs the gamut,B次元官网网址� Berman says.
In fact, TeenFest is as much about doing and experiencing as it is about learning. Additional highlights include a Teen Talent Contest, interactive sports and gaming activities, and a host of teen performers, including 16-year-old Tristan Thomson, a StellyB次元官网网址檚 student whose song Tidalwave is getting a lot of play, Nanaimo hip hop artist Sirreal, and Shon Burnett, the 12-year-old top-six finalist from YTVB次元官网网址檚 The Next Star 7 show.
B次元官网网址淲e are so lucky to have so many talented youth who want to come perform,B次元官网网址� Berman says.
Guests can relax in the White Spot Caf茅, which is donating partial proceeds to the Kids Help Phone, and enter their name for a variety of prizes B次元官网网址� including a $500 shopping spree give-away, courtesy of The Bay Centre. The first 500 guests will also receive swag bags.
Interestingly, both teens and parents are in sync about the TeenFest experience, agreeing, B次元官网网址淚 canB次元官网网址檛 believe itB次元官网网址檚 free and I canB次元官网网址檛 believe all this is out there for us,B次元官网网址� Berman says, crediting the community support they have received.
B次元官网网址淭ruly our sponsors and our exhibitors are just such visionaries and they believe in what theyB次元官网网址檙e trying to do.B次元官网网址�
editor@goldstreamgazette.com
Check it out
WHAT: Coast Capital Savings Victoria TeenFest
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 1, from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
WHERE: Pearkes Recreation Centre, 3100 Tillicum Rd.
COST: Free
MORE INFO: Visit teenfest.ca
