Western Fair District offers sensory-friendly event for children with special needs
On Wednesday, the Western Fair District made it possible for young children with special needs to have a comfortable and fun experience.
Organizers adjusted both the indoor and outdoor space at the district to be more sensory-friendly for children between the ages of 3-12.
“It's actually really good, I really like the horse rides and I really like the hotdogs, all the things,” said Chey, a young boy who came to the fair with his mother Caroline.
“It's been lots of fun, fewer lines, less hassle, and everyone is really friendly. It’s just awesome,” Caroline added.
The ‘Day of Dreams’ event has been running for the last 7 years, offering free lunch, rides, and entertainment for children and their families.
With less noise and smaller crowds, the space is tailored to fit each child’s needs and allows them to experience the fair at their own pace.
“It's a day that our staff get so excited about, you know, to see the smile on these children’s faces and their parents and caregivers,” said Greg Blanchard, Director of Equine Programming, The Raceway at Western Fair District.
“It's just so rewarding and it’s a day we love having every year,” he said.
“It's amazing to see the parents, their eyes watching their kids on the rides and not having to deal with the big crowds yet. And to be open early is special for them and it’s a beautiful thing,” said ‘Doo Doo’ the clown, who makes an appearance at the fair every year.
It was a special day for 500 locals who signed up, including Sandra and her 8-year-old son Ben, who has Down syndrome.
“It’s so amazing for us to be here and know that it's comfortable for us and everyone is the same as us,” Sandra said. “It’s so different and it's just, it’s amazing.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Princess Anne to take part in B.C. ceremony bringing new ship into Pacific fleet
Canada's first Arctic and Offshore Patrol Vessel will officially be brought into the Pacific fleet today and Princess Anne, the sister of King Charles, is scheduled to take part in its commissioning ceremony.
How falling for a stranger she met on a beach led this woman to ditch the U.S. for the French Riviera
Niki Benjamin, from the U.S., had travelled to a paradise island to do some soul searching, and her life ended up going in a very different direction when her dog ran up to a stranger.
NEW Biscuits with possible plastic pieces, metal found in ground pork: Here are the recalls for this week
Here are the latest recalls Canadians should watch out for, according to Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
Police move in to clear NYU encampment, U.S. campus arrests grow to 2,200 in pro-Palestinian protests
Police moved in to clear an encampment at New York University on Friday at the request of school officials, a move that follows weeks of pro-Palestinian protests at college campuses nationwide that have resulted in nearly 2,200 arrests by police.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
More than half of Canadians say freedom of speech is under threat, new poll suggests
A new poll suggests a majority of Canadians feel their right to freedom of speech is in danger.
Feds giving Toronto more than $104M to host 2026 FIFA World Cup
The federal government will provide Toronto just over $104 million in funding to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Wally, the emotional support alligator once denied entry to a baseball game, is missing
Emotional support animal registrations in the United States reached 115,832 last year, by an industry group’s count. But in the eyes of reptile rescuer Joie Henney, there’s only one: 'Wally Gator.'
Parents of infant who died in wrong-way crash on Ontario's Hwy. 401 were in same vehicle
Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit has released new details about a wrong-way collision in Whitby on Monday night that claimed the lives of four people.