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Huble Homestead hosting Kids' Carnival this Saturday

The Kids' Carnival at Huble Homestead Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. will be filled with magic, offer an outlet for artistic expression, an opportunity to play carnival games and there's even a chance to dig for buried treasure.
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Blacksmith Mike Hardeman puts on a demonstration during Huble Homestead’s annual Spring on the Homestead event in May. The historic site is holding its annual Kids’ Carnival on Saturday.

The Kids' Carnival at Huble Homestead Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. will be filled with magic, offer an outlet for artistic expression, an opportunity to play carnival games and there's even a chance to dig for buried treasure.

"This is one of our long-running events - we've been hosting it since 2007 and it's one of our favourite events because it's just so much fun," Krystal Leason, executive director of Huble Homestead/Giscome Portage Heritage Society, said.

"One of the big draws, of course, is the magic shows."

There will be four shows held throughout the day featuring William the Conjurer who offers his latest tricks and illusions to mystify his audience.

The big draw of the day is the carnival games, hence the name Kids' Carnival, Leason said.

Each game costs 25 cents per play and there are guaranteed prizes.

"There are games like spin the wheel, buried treasure, bean bag toss, fish pond, key to the past, and things like that," Leason said.

Some of the games are familiar and some are not.

Buried treasure sees participants dig around in a bucket of sand to find a plastic coin.

Prizes are colour-coded to match the coins to determine the prize, while key to the past allows guests to pick a key to take a chance at opening a treasure chest.

"If you manage to open the chest, that's extra special, but you get a prize no matter what," Leason explained.

"These games are suitable for all ages and there are a variety of prizes available."

There are also demonstrations held throughout the homestead.

"There is an ice cream making demonstration and of course the best part of making ice cream is tasting ice cream," Leason laughed.

The blacksmith will be on site working in the shop so guests can watch as a nail or horseshoe is created, she added.

Two Rivers Gallery staff will be on hand to offer a craft-making experience and when it's time to take a break from all the excitement, taking a colouring sheet to the barn might be in order or just take it home.

"Guests can get a sparkle tattoo, their face painted, and there's toys all over the site so people can play with balls and inflatables," Leason added.

"There's game times with scheduled pioneer races, relays, and the parachute will come out so people can join in on the parachute games."

There's also a treasure hunt that offers exploration of the homestead.

"So if you want to you can get the paper in the welcome barn and explore the historic site, looking for all the different clues and finish with a prize," Leason said.

"It's just a really packed day. It is a lot of fun for all ages."

The general store is open and offers old-fashioned candy, and locally-made toys and accessories.

There's a concession that offers hot dogs and hamburgers or visitors are welcome to bring their own picnic.

The following Saturday, July 27, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., features a scavenger hunt where guests are invited to round up the troops for an outdoor adventure.

"This is more of a self-led activity day so it's less of a production," Leason said.

"This is a scavenger hunt so you get the paper at the welcome barn. There's things you can find all around the site and also things that you can do to help check off all the items on the list."

One of the many things you can do to achieve success is build a five-person pyramid and take a picture to show at the end of the hunt.

How many things you do and find on the list depends on the size of the prize you get at the end of the scavenger hunt.

"You can take as much time as you want, so it's really personally paced," Leason said.

"It's a great activity for all ages, ideal for families with young children or groups of people who can come out as friends and have a good time and you can do as much of it or as little as you want so it's really just an excuse to get outside and have some fresh air while you explore Huble Homestead."

The historic site is a 30-minute drive north of Prince George on Highway 97, turn off on Mitchell Road and continue six kilometres down a well-maintained gravel road.

Huble Homestead is dog friendly and open daily for guided tours and shopping in the general store. Enjoy a picnic or purchase lunch from the barbecue.

Admission is by recommended donation of $10 per family.