EMS Day
It was a double shift day for me yesterday. My little buddy Hayden and I made a return visit to Kids’ World. This time we skipped the rides and concentrated on the free shows and exhibits. We arrived in time for the Harry & His Bucketful of Dinosaurs show. Although I had never heard of this show, Harry was a superstar in Hayden’s eyes. We really enjoyed doing all the movements along with the songs. Hayden thought that Harry looked a lot bigger in person than on television.
Once that show was over we hurried across just in time to see the Backyard Circus. No words could convince Hayden to participate, however, we did enjoy watching the lions and tigers and butterflies. Hayden was much keener on the idea of marching in the puppet parade. So off we went, around the tent, waving the giant puppet. I had watched this for years so I was thrilled to have a chance to participate.
Hayden wanted to see the Lego playroom so off we went. I was glad of the chance to just sit for a while. He had a great time playing with the creations of previous visitors. I was really impressed with the Lego sculptures that decorated the room.
We were too late for the pizza making demonstration, so it was straight to the music room. We banged on every single percussion instrument there. I really liked playing with the home made theremin, one of my favourite instruments.
The petting zoo was next on the agenda. Hayden really wanted to see some bunnies and an attendant was quick to point out where they were. We fed goats, and a llama and the three little pigs. The spotted piglets ended up as Hayden’s favourites. His mother told me later that he talked about them all day.
I took Hayden home around one. After a quick rest I headed back to catch the John Robert Columbo talk on the Spirits of Canada. Columbo has an engaging and conversational style of speaking that makes him a delight to listen to. He walked us through the various myths and legends of ghosts and spirits from coast to coast in Canada. I was expect the talk to have more retelling of ghost stories and ripping yarns, but what I heard was much more interesting. Columbo explained more about how the stories were perpetuated. Did you know that without the story of Ogopogo we may never have heard of the Loch Ness Monster? It seems they had the same PR agent. The hour flew by.
After the talk I saw that the Wheel of Thrills would be starting soon. I climbed up to the observation tower at the Canadian Forces exhibit. It was the perfect location to watch the performance.
I was so thrilled by the photos I got from that vantage point I decided to make it my go to spot for the day. Next up was the parade. It was EMS Day at the Ex so the parade included a lot of different ambulances. There were a couple of old ones and vehicles from all the regions around southwestern Ontario.
I could see the folks at the Canadian Forces exhibit setting up for the Mountain Ops demonstration. Once again, the look out gave me the perfect vantage point. One of the Mountain Ops team slid down a 300’ rope from the 120’ high tower of the Direct Energy Centre. To make it even harder, he brought a “sked” with him. A sked is a stretcher to transport the wounded down from a mountain. It was an impressive feat. The next to slide down the rope was Juno, the polar bear. Juno is the mascot of the Armed Forces.
It had been a long day, so I headed home in time to catch the sunset through the Dufferin Gate. The Air Show starts tomorrow.