Laughter, joy and smiling faces lit up the fairgrounds on Thursday, August 15th at this year’s Special Needs Day at the Capital Fair.
For more than 20 years, Hydro Ottawa has proudly partnered with the Capital Fair to host Special Needs Day. The private event was held one day before the fair opened to the public with reduced crowds and noise levels, making it easier for attendees to navigate and enjoy the festivities.
Upon entering the fairground, guests were immediately greeted by the warm smiles of Hydro Ottawa volunteers and the exhilarating anticipation of a day filled with fun and excitement. The sensory-friendly environment was designed to provide a safe and welcoming space for children and individuals with developmental and/or physical disabilities, and their families and caregivers, so that they could experience all the rides, games, food and entertainment that the fair had to offer.
“My son has ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder), so ordinarily I could never bring him to something like this,” said Shaefann Sieuraj, a parent who attended Special Needs Day. “So just having an opportunity to bring him to rides where there's less music, less people, less crowds is amazing.”
Since 2001, Hydro Ottawa has been partnering with the Capital Fair and World’s Finest Shows to host this unique event. This exclusive day offered a petting zoo, carnival food and a delicious BBQ lunch with ice cream and live music. Children also had the opportunity to meet live reptiles and get their faces painted with magical designs. On the way out, children were even given a small plush toy to bring home with them.
Capital Fair president, Mark Lamoureux, has been involved with the Capital Fair for about 45 years. In his time with the Capital Fair, he has watched Special Needs Day flourish and has helped countless children make memories that will last forever.
“Special Needs Day is a day where kids can come out and be kids - that’s what it’s all about,” said Lamoureux.
“My favourite part is just getting to see the kids’ faces, all the smiles, and all the parents who take the time to thank us for doing it.”
For many children, Special Needs Day is their first time at the fair. Elementary school student Noah Mariuz said he had never been to the fair before and was so excited to try all the rides.
“It was a very fun experience. My favourite part was the scrambler ride,” Mariuz said.
The slower rides, smaller crowds and quieter music also allowed Crystal Erblo and her family the chance to enjoy the event.
“We can't always go to things like this so we are very thankful to Hydro Ottawa for sponsoring this event. We had heard a lot of very positive things about Special Needs Day, so we wanted to give it a try and so far we are very happy,” Erblo said.
With the support of over 50 Hydro Ottawa staff and retiree volunteers, we were able to bring smiles to hundreds of faces and help create long lasting memories. From children enjoying the rides to parents beaming with pride, there was a sense of excitement and happiness in the air.
Throughout the day, Hydro Ottawa volunteers helped make sure guests had a wonderful experience - cooking food, lifting children onto rides, and making sure every child felt safe and celebrated.
“Honestly I loved just seeing the smile on my son's face, seeing the opportunities for him and seeing his world open up,” Sieuraj said. “He got to try things that he had never ever tried before, even just getting his face painted is something that he would never ordinarily get to do.”
Special Needs Day also gave nine-year-old singer Julianna Labelle the opportunity to give back to the community. Labelle performed some of her favourite songs for the children and their families, including A Whole New World from Disney’s film Aladdin and Rise Up by Andrea Day. Labelle said her dream is to help people through her singing.
“I like helping people that are in need a lot,” Labelle said. “It’s also a donation for the special kids. I’m really happy that they get to hear my singing.”
At Hydro Ottawa, we are committed to making a positive difference and supporting the community. Special Needs Day at the Capital Fair offers the opportunity to ensure that everyone, regardless of their abilities, gets to experience the joy, excitement and magic of a day at the fair. It’s also a way to raise awareness about the importance of accessibility in our community. Special Needs Day is a reminder of the power of inclusion and strength in celebrating our differences.
Although Special Needs Day 2024 has come to an end, we cherish the memories of all the smiling faces that filled the fairgrounds, and look forward to creating more joyful experiences in the future. For families, caregivers and community groups looking to get in on the fun, please sign-up for more information through the Capital Fair website.