Yilan Children's Festival Opens to 20,000 Visitors, 14-Meter 'Sacred Tree' Slide Steals the Show

The Yilan International Children's Folklore and Folkgame Festival kicked off its 31st year with a resounding success, drawing over 20,000 visitors on its opening day at the Dongshan River Water Park. This year's theme, "A Journey Through the Forest," immerses attendees in a world of treehouses and tents, offering a unique water play experience.

A standout attraction is the towering 14-meter-high "Sacred Tree" slide, which has quickly become the festival's iconic landmark, attracting long queues of eager participants. The festival's opening ceremony featured a captivating circus performance and paid a special tribute to Father Micklin, the late priest credited with being instrumental in the festival's creation. Yilan County's acting head, Lin Mao-sheng, expressed deep gratitude, stating, "Without the Father, there would be no Children's Festival today."

Adding to the cultural richness, the 44-day event will host 26 folk art troupes from 18 different countries. The festivities include a Korean graffiti show that surprisingly presented a portrait of Father Micklin, followed by a tribute dance by the Lanyang Dance Ensemble. Lin Mao-sheng highlighted that the festival offers water facilities suitable for all ages, alongside static exhibition areas featuring works by artists like Bao Da-shan. Technological integration through QR codes and a dedicated play area for children aged 0 to 6 further enhance the visitor experience.

The Yilan County Government outlined the festival's core components: "Play, Performance, Exchange, and Exhibition," all designed to showcase the event's innovative vitality. The festival will continue until August 16th, with ticket holders having a chance to win significant prizes, including a car.

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Without the Father, there would be no Children's Festival today.