The library’s third annual How-To Festival proved to be a bona fide hit with area residents of all ages interested in checking out a wide array of topics and learning new skills in numerous subject areas.
“We want the whole community to see what the whole community has to offer,” said event co-organizer and library staffer Kelli Absalom.
All totalled, Saturday’s four-hour event featured 41 sessions with most wrapping up after 45 minutes or so. The overall goal was to balance practical and easy skills with fun and out-of-the-ordinary ones.
Topics ranged from making balloon animals, reducing food waste and chocolate appreciation to discovering fossils in one’s own backyard, learning basic CPR and making and flying paper airplanes.
Event co-organizer Amy Lambertsen said they’re hoping for an attendance boost over last year when nearly 600 participants enjoyed various seminars.
“We tried to make it so there would be something that would appeal to everybody. That was our goal,” Lambertsen said, noting workshop leaders were about evenly split between local businesses and private citizens.
“The first year we did this it was mainly family, friends and staff leading the sessions.”
Those attending this year’s incarnation seemed enthused with the offerings.
“I think it’s fabulous,” city resident Janet Hewitt said while painting with watercolour during a morning session.
“It introduces you to a lot of different people with different skills in your community. It’s a fun way to spend the day with so many volunteers who are giving their time.”
As well, Hewitt said the short introductory workshops allow people to try something new without signing up and committing to a weeks-long course only to discover they’re not overly keen on the subject matter after the first week.
Added fellow watercolour participant Tanya Clark: “It’s wonderful to have people willing to share their skills. It’s community building as well as skills building.”
Watercolour workshop leader Stephanie Montague said it’s nice to be able to give back to the library.
“Me and my kids always come to the library, so it’s nice to be part of this,” said Montague, who led a tutu-making workshop at a previous How-To Festival.
Horseshoe Valley’s Melanie Van Pypen brought her two children, Laurel and Cedar, to check out the wide array of activities.
“I think this is great,” said Van Pypen, who tried doing an ‘ollie’ and a ‘kickflip’ during an introductory skateboarding workshop led by Kahuna Surfshop and Orillia Skate Parkers.
Skateboarder Simon Oliver provided demonstrations outlining some of the moves participants could try.
“This is great for us because we’re raising money and awareness towards a new skate park,” Oliver said. “These kind of events help get kids involved because they’re the next generation.
“Skateboarding teaches you not to give up. You might try something and fall, but you get back up and try it again.”
