A "shop and swap” is the newest addition to the annual Ages and Stages Children's Fair, which runs this Friday and Saturday, March 13-14 at St. Mary School. The fair, which is now in its seventh year, runs from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday. The fair is put on by the Westlock Parent Link Centre with the support of many other local organizations like the Westlock Municipal Library, Alberta Health Services, the Pembina Hills school division and the Westlock Child Care Society.
A 'shop and swap" is the newest addition to the annual Ages and Stages Children's Fair, which runs this Friday and Saturday, March 13-14 at St. Mary School.
The fair, which is now in its seventh year, runs from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday.
The fair is put on by the Westlock Parent Link Centre with the support of many other local organizations like the Westlock Municipal Library, Alberta Health Services, the Pembina Hills school division and the Westlock Child Care Society.
During the fair, there are five stations set up with different activities at each. The activities are meant to test a child's progress in a different stage of development.
For instance, Parent Link Centre co-ordinator Erin Chapotelle said one station might test a child's gross skills.
'Depending on their age, kids might have to hop up and down on one foot, or maybe they need to climb a set of stairs. Or maybe they need to throw a ball, either with one hand or two hands, depending on how old they are," she said.
The activities are tailored to children between the ages of 18 months to five and a half years old, though children slightly older or younger are welcome at the event.
Chapotelle said they typically have 100 people involved in the fair and approximately 60 children come through each year, though obviously attendance will vary.
In addition to the five stations, the Classroom on Wheels (COW) bus will be on hand at the fair on Friday afternoon.
As well, the Each One Teach One Literacy Society will be putting on activities on Saturday afternoon. Chapotelle said they will be present on Friday as well, but their main activities will be on Saturday afternoon.
Parents wishing to attend the event are asked to pre-register by calling the Parent Link Centre at 780-307-2444.
Registration officially closed on Friday, March 6, but Chapotelle indicated she may take in a couple of last-minute registrations this week.
Alongside the fair this year will be a shop and swap where families can exchange their 'lightly-used clothing" and used books, games and toys.
Chapotelle noted there has always been a clothing exchange at the fair to some extent. However, this past November, there were parents approaching the Parent Link Centre asking to put on something of a bigger scale.
'We've always had clothing available, but this shop and swap is a little bit different," said Chapotelle.
Families can drop off their lightly-used clothing, shoes, books, games and toys from 2-4 p.m. on Thursday, March 12.
Furniture and household items will not be accepted, and items should be in good condition with no holes or stains.
Organizers ask that clothing items are separated by size and gender before being dropped off to save them time.
Families may then come to the fair between 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday or Saturday to pick up the free items. The shop and swap is open to everyone.
When the event is over, left-over winter outfit items will be donated to FCSS.
Some toys will be kept by the Parent Link Centre for their drop-in programs. However, the bulk of the clothing will be donated to a Sherwood Park organization called 'Give A Shirt," which will be sending the items on to orphanages in Laos.
