The annual Ilan International Children's Folklore and Folkgame Festival begins tomorrow at 4pm at the Chinshui Water Park along the Tungshan River in Ilan County as Ilan County Commissioner Liu Shou-cheng (
"With this year's festival we hope to give children around Taiwan a joyful summer," Liu said.
PHOTO: EMILY WU, TAIPEI TIMES
For the sixth year, the festival guarantees to cool down attendees. Children can take advantage of water games such as the "Reverse Rotation Water Labyrinth" or this year's secret weapon, "T-Battle," where water guns will be handed out to kids and adults alike for the ultimate water fight. They can also find their way through labyrinths, or surf the "High Net," where, acting like a mouse, participants experience net surfing without a computer. Alternatively attendees can learn about other cultures through performances every afternoon.
When asked about his expectations for this year's festival, one local elementary school student said that "the labyrinths are what [he is] looking forward to."
A special exhibition this year will be The Magic Garden -- An Exhibition of Original Illustrations from Hans Christian Anderson's Fairy Tales. The Sonorous Sculptures, by French craftsman Serge Durin, should also be a favorite, when Durin creates musical instruments from local bamboo as well as other materials.
The park will be open through Aug. 18, from 8:30am until 8:30pm. To get there, take the train to Lodong station, Ilan County and the special chartered bus (NT$20) or taxi to the park. Tickets are on sale at the gate for NT$250 on weekdays and NT$350 on weekends. Unlimited entry tickets will also be available for NT$600 for adults, and NT$200 for students of Ilan elementary schools only. Kids under 110cm get in free.
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