Norden the Magician has a bit of Houdini in him, in that he loves an escape room – so much that he owns one, and he’s bringing it to this year’s Family Fest.
Norden is a former Maple Ridge resident, and the perennial Children’s Entertainer of the Year award winner. He helps keep children and big kids coming back to the Ridge Meadows Home Show’s Family Fest. It’s one of the favourite events he does.
In recent years he’s added the Monster Foam Party, which is essentially a huge bubble cannon that shoots foam, and fills the space around it with cool bubbles. It’s good clean fun, that will be back again this year.
And, for the 2024 Family Fest, he has a new mobile escape room.
Those who get trapped inside will have 15 minutes to decipher clues and codes and unlock the barriers to their freedom. To add a little urgency, it’s all set to a back story involving alien invaders and saving the planet.
Norden said magicians typically enjoy the puzzling nature of an escape room. Houdini would be bound in chains, locked in a trunk, and dropped into the ocean, but Norden prefers the comparative comfort of being locked in a room.
“I love escape rooms – I’m a magician, a puzzle guy,” he said. “Everywhere I go, I find one, and drag my wife along to do it with me. But she loves them too.”
So the puzzle enthusiast is happy to offer the new Mobile Escape Wizards room. He said this one is kid friendly, but a little adult help can assist in beating the clock.
“We’re doing everything we can to keep the Family Fest fun,” said Norden.
He and his magician pal the Great Gordini offer shows together and apart, and Norden is a mainstay on the stage as the MC of the children’s show. Some of the other entertainment on the stage this year includes Dane Warren as Michael Buble, Dunvegan Dance Academy, a new family game show called Familiar Feud, and Shine Bright Studio will present Beauty and the Beast.
The Family Fest will run May 3 to 5, on Friday from 4 to 9 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the Albion Fairgrounds.
The attractions include fair rides from Shooting Star Amusements, who do charge for their rides and games.
But there is a lot that’s free, including admission and parking. And Bells and Whistles Mini Golf, which is returning for another year.
For the crafty, there will be an opportunity to make something as a gift for Mother’s Day.
Haney Builders, one of the show’s major sponsors and longtime supporters, provides their popular Bring Back Play sandbox.
For those who love creatures, there will be a Party Animals Mobile Petting Zoo, facepainting, and nearby there will be food trucks and a market place.
There will also be unscheduled fun, such wandering characters from Happyland Events that look great in a selfie.
There’s something magical about the whole show, inside and out, said the resident wizard.
“It’s the best home show, and I love checking everything out,” said Norden. “It’s all free for kids and families.”
