The London International Children's Festival finished on a high note yesterday, after five days of weather ups and downs had some participants concerned. "Friday, we were scared," said Andre Boulay of Gilligan's Juice Bar. But things were looking up by Saturday. "I wish all days were like that."
A big crowd enjoyed the sunshine in Victoria Park yesterday, but they weren't spending money in the General Store, organizers said. Sales of merchandise were lower than last year, even after the sun came out.
"We're disappointed," said Anna Berg, festival president.
It's too early to determine the financial result of the festival, but organizers will meet several times over the next few weeks to crunch numbers and discuss ideas for next year.
"We're too busy right now to assess that kind of stuff," said Karen Killeen, festival executive director. "We do a lot of really good analysis after the festival."
Dollars and cents aside, Killeen said the festival has been a success, owing mostly to the dedication of more than 1,000 volunteers.
"Every day I'm just amazed," she said. "They never say no."
Vendors were also impressed with the diligence of the unpaid workers, particularly the cleanup crews. There were no overflowing garbage cans or drifts of trash around the park, they said.
"It's a well-run festival with a dedicated bunch of volunteers," said Rob Lanyan of Miss Maggie's Candy Shop, a favourite with kids.
Despite the rain, it's been a good year, Lanyan said. Kids still lined up for candy apples and floss, which doesn't usually survive a good soaking.
"It does in a bag," he said.
Traffic in the activity tents was as good or better than last year. The London Museum of Archaeology -- using a new location -- saw its numbers rise significantly.
"We're right where the school buses let out now," said Nancy Van Sas, who keeps track of the crowd with a clicking counter. "We've had about 10,000 people through our tent."
Most festival participants agree that if kids don't care about the rain, neither do they.
"We've been cold, we've been wet and we've been sunburned -- all in the same week," said Tina MacDonald, a manager in the Scholar's Choice activity tent. "It's been a little bit crazy this year . . . but everyone's still happy to be here."
