After seeing all those drool-worthy food festival pics online, I decided it was time to drag the whole family – my two rugrats included – into the chaos. Packed the minivan last summer and hit the road, trial and error style. Here’s how it actually went down.
Picking Our First Festival
Didn’t just wing it – scoured forums about which spots wouldn’t scare off our 5-year-old. Chose Quebec’s Winter Carnival ’cause they advertised igloo snacks and maple taffy. Printed maps with big candy-colored dots showing bathrooms and first-aid stations. Told the kids if they didn’t whine for 3 hours, we’d buy poutine. Bribery works.
Survival Kit Essentials
Threw these in a beat-up backpack:
- Wet wipes – Kids touched every greasy railing.
- Collapsible water bottles – Saved $40 on drinks.
- Ziplocks – Half-eaten beignets go here.
- Emergency lollipops – Nuclear option when tantrums hit.
Navigating the Food Stalls
Made everyone hold hands near the smoker pits. Got mini portions of everything: German bratwurst, French crepes, weird purple dumplings. Shared samples so nobody got stuck with a whole plate of gross stuff. Kids surprisingly loved spicy Korean corn dogs. My youngest cried over pickle-flavored ice cream – lesson learned.
The Meltdown Moment
Around noon, my oldest tripped over his snow boots near the ice sculpture park. Full zombie-mode screaming commenced. Pulled out the lollipop stash and dragged him to a “quiet zone” bench. Gave him my phone to watch trashy cartoons while we inhaled poutine. Next time? Bringing noise-canceling headphones for me.
What Actually Worked
- Getting there early – Ate breakfast crepes with zero lines.
- Point systems – “Try that fried cricket? Five points!”
- Ditching the stroller – Used a wagon instead for tired legs and food hauling.
So yeah, we survived. Kids still talk about falling in syrup snow. Pro tip? Lower your expectations. Someone will puke, cry, or hate the food. Pack extra socks.
