Maki’s children’s activities tent on the festival grounds
bustles with a unique variety of activities all weekend.
Photo by Sandy Richardson
The sign says it all! Maki mixes up a playful concoction for a
young festival goer, while an unidentified volunteer looks on.
Photo by Sandy Richardson
By Cheryl Olson
In 2005 when Ontonagon resident Katie Maki attended the Porcupine Mountains Music Festival, she wrote a suggestion on a piece of paper, “needs children’s activities” and placed it into the festival’s suggestion box. At that time the busy mother of 3 children, ages 10, 8, and 4, was not only unaware of the significant impact her suggestion would have on the festival... but also that she would be adding another task to her already lengthy to-do list.
Sometime after the festival was over, Maki was a contacted by coordinators saying “We saw your suggestion in the box, it is a great idea... we agree that a children’s activity area would be wonderful and we would love for you to be lead coordinator on the project.” She agreed without hesitation and for the past two years, the children’s activities area project at the music festival has been near and dear to her heart.
Maki has always been a visible leader in area children’s causes, including spearheading successful fund raising efforts and community support for a new playground at the Ontonagon Township Park... enjoyed and frequented by hundreds of children each year. In addition, Maki founded a local playgroup, is a member of Parents Education Group (P.E.G.) at school, a girl scout leader, and a member of People for Peace. She is an RN, BSN and works at Portage Health System in Houghton and Grandview in Ironwood teaching childbirth classes, offers breast feeding support and is a doula.
It was clear to the music festival organizers that she was a champion for the children, working tenaciously to achieve goals for their betterment. With Maki on board, the children’s activity area was on a fast track to becoming a reality.
With two years as coordinator of the children’s activity area behind her, Maki has seen growth each year...last year she requested more volunteer help to handle the stream of smiling children. While there are volunteers to help with the activities, from the beginning Maki was adamant that the activities area was not intended to serve as day care. Her sign that read “unattended children will be given espresso, and a free puppy” summed it up with perfect unoffending wit, creating many a smile from passers by. Approximately 50 children participated last year.
Some of the activities planned for the children this August include: Making Pirate Treasure Boxes, Paint Your Own T-Shirt and Visor, Fishing Game, Face Painting, Lake Superior photo frame making, parachute games... and many other fun surprises. There will also be hula hoops and bubbles galore on hand. There is no charge for attendees to participate in the children’s’ activities, though donations are welcome. Once again, the ever popular Big Bird will be making an appearance to entertain the children during the weekend.
Each year the children’s activities are concluded by an onstage performance by the children, who brandish and utilize some of the handmade items they created over the weekend in the activities tent. This year the children will be performing two songs by performer Michael Franti, “East to the West” and “Hello Bonjour.” The songs relate to how we are all human, sharing the same planet, and we must learn to settle our differences for the good of the future. “While I am the one who selects the songs for the performance, when doing so I think about what my children are talking about...the questions they are asking.” Maki said. Questions such as “Why don’t more people recycle?” and “What will Happen to our Planet?”
Maki is also exploring the possibilities of doing a children’s’ collaboration with festival performer, Rev. Eddie Danger, a one man band who performs on over 25 instruments. His special project, Turtle and the Drum, is family oriented, educational, fun music for kids of all ages, 1-92! If a collaboration is arranged, the time and details will be printed in the workshop schedule in the festival program guide.
One area being examined by Maki for 2009 is the pricing structure for children’s and teens tickets. This year, as in years past, children age 6 and under receive free admission, and children under 18 receive a 20% discount. After receiving feedback from families with children, and teenagers, Maki is working with the festival coordinators to revisit the children’s ticket pricing for 2009 to insure that families with children will be able to enjoy the music festival together.
Maki is mindful that the children are our future, “They inherit the messes we make.” she said before dispensing a final pearl of motherly wisdom. “We need to let the children find their voices...and then we need to listen.”
The children’s activities tent at the Porcupine Mountains Music Festival will be open from 12:30 - 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 23 and Sunday, August 24. The children’s special performance will take place Sunday, August 24 at 3:30 p.m. on the Peace Hill Stage.
The Porcupine Mountains Music Festival will take place August 22-24 at the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park Winter Recreation Area. For more information visit www.porkiesfestival.org or call 884-2653, or toll free 1-800-344-5355.
