Old-Fashioned Fun For the Kids

This weekend, Black Creek Pioneer Village is again hosting the Howling Hootenanny festival. Events include haunted maze, face tattoos, magicians, tarrot card reading, music, crafts, free pumpkins and the crowd favorite, apple sling shot.

I stopped by last weekend to take a few photos (there is a slideshow below) and was genuinely impressed by the atmosphere and activities. It's not big budget, not super polished, but seriously good old-fashioned fun. Most of the activities you could put on in your own house with just a few props and a little imagination, but the environment at the village, the other smiling faces and beautiful time of year makes it the perfect place to enjoy one of the last nice fall weekends with the kids. For example, I spent at least an hour just watching parents (and sometimes their kids) try and hit targets with the apple sling shot... I only saw one winner, but it was surprisingly fun.

Details and slideshow below.

Howling Hootenanny
Event Dates: October 27 and 28, 2007
Event Time: 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Members Cost: Free
Non Members Cost: $13 adults; $12 students and seniors; $9 children 5-14 (+GST)
Location: Black Creek Pioneer Village
1000 Murray Ross Parkway
Toronto, ON
Directions: South of Steeles Avenue, east of Jane Street.
Contact Telephone: 416-667-6295