Once upon a time, on a snowy winter evening, there was a large group of youngsters all dressed in their finest and ready to attend a magical evening fit for a princess, a pirate and even a playful parent.
Together they gathered, all excited and elated, for the 5th annual Ottawa Children’s Gala held at the Ottawa Conference and Event Centre. Their fleeting fairy tale began with pirate treasures, a mini kids’ spa, a pumpkin-style carriage, live entertainment and some friendly fist-bumping with everyone’s favourite evil dad, Darth Vader. The formal affair, held Saturday, also included a kid-friendly meal with a most magnificent cake and candy buffet.
Mayor Jim Watson made a special appearance at the sold-out, 500-person gala in order to declare it Kids Play Safe Day, referring to the community-based program founded and chaired by volunteer Spencer Warren.
From left, organizer Spencer Warren and Mayor Jim Watson get photo bombed by a CHEO mascot bear at the Ottawa Children’s Gala held at the Ottawa Conference and Event Centre on Saturday, February 21, 2015 to raise funds and awareness for childhood injury prevention.
The supervisor with Hydro Ottawa took up the cause after his daughter Emily, now nine years ago, broke her arm on a piece of playground equipment as a toddler. It’s estimated one in five kids who visit the emergency room at CHEO has an injury that could have been prevented, said Warren. His family’s experience with CHEO left them wanting to give back to the hospital.
“The way that they care so much about the kids in the hospital; it’s not just a job to them. It’s a passion,” said Warren, who directs the gala proceeds toward CHEO’s Plan-It Safe program. Kids Play Safe also organizes annual charity golf tournaments and family BBQs.
Event co-emcee Lianne Laing from CTV Morning Live turned the Ottawa Children’s Gala into a family affair with her husband, sports artist Tony Harris, and their daughters Andie, 10, and Jamie, seven. Not part of their family is the Stormtrooper.
The evening was MCed by CTV Morning Live Ottawa host Lianne Laing and Majic 100 Morning host Angie Poirier, both of whom brought along their hubbies and kids. It was the fifth year of attending for Laing’s girls, Andie Harris, 10, and Jamie Harris, seven. Their reviews were positive, especially after Andie learned Darth and his troops were there to greet guests.
Star Wars is her new favourite movie. “I’m completely obsessed about it,” said Andie, who was “really, really, really, really, really happy” to see the characters there.
Four-year-old Lila Gauthier offers her rose for fairytale character Ariel to smell at the Ottawa Children’s Gala.
A high-five gauntlet of Stormtroopers was a fun way for kids to arrive to the Ottawa Children’s Gala.
Co-event MC Angie Poirier, from Majic 100 and CTV Ottawa, with her eight-year-old daughter, Mila Konopliff, at the Ottawa Children’s Gala held at the Ottawa Conference and Event Centre on Saturday, February 21, 2015.
This cake, from Top of the Hill Bakey, remained under the watchful eye of volunteer Andrea Martin (if she looks familiar, her father is national journalist Don Martin) until it was served later in the evening at the Ottawa Children’s Gala held at the Ottawa Conference and Event Centre.
Brianna Barkley, six, attended the fairytale-themed Ottawa Children’s Gala.
Prominent orthopedic surgeon Dr. Donald Chow attended the Ottawa Children’s Gala, held Saturday, February 21, 2015, at the Ottawa Conference and Event Centre, with his wife, Angela, and their daughter-in-law Tara and son Andrei, along with five-year-old grandson, Tayver.
Peyton Bosley, seven, was seen getting a tattoo (relax, it was only a temporary one).
Organizer Spencer Warren with his daughter, Emily, 9, at the Ottawa Children’s Gala.
Kids could meet Cinderella in the parked stage coach, owned by Lucky Luc, during the Ottawa Children’s Gala.
These Stormtroopers, from the Capital City Garrison, 501st Legion, were probably wishing they’d brought lightsabers to defend themselves against the princess pirates
