"Flying" into the Yilan International Children's Folklore and Folkgame Festival – 2015’s Six Must-Do Highlights

▲This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Yilan International Children's Folklore and Folkgame Festival. (Photo / Provided by organizers)

By Chen Tzu-yin / Yilan Reporting

The Yilan International Children's Folklore and Folkgame Festival is a cherished childhood memory for many locals. Now entering its 20th year, this year’s edition takes "Flying" as its theme and, for the third time, invites internationally acclaimed designer Aaron Nieh (Xiao Qingyang) to design the festival’s visual identity. Lin Chiu-fang, Director of Yilan County Cultural Affairs Bureau, explained that just as a young child grows into adulthood, the theme has evolved from "Turning" in the 18th edition, to "Jumping" last year, and now "Flying" this year. Aaron Nieh created a smiling face using keyboard symbols to represent the number 20, symbolizing the festival’s 20th birthday.

Lin Chiu-fang further noted that this year’s festival features many new highlights, such as key installations like the towering "Game Sky Tower," and the ever-popular water slides, which have been transformed into a giant airship this year—must-sees for all attendees.

2015 Yilan Children's Festival: Six Must-Do Highlights

1. Game Sky Tower

▲Concept image of the Game Sky Tower. (Photo / Provided by organizers)

The "Game Sky Tower," the tallest highlight structure in the 2015 park, is a 14-meter-high steel-built play tower resembling a giant maze. Once inside, visitors lose their sense of direction amid climbing nets, hanging ropes, steep slopes, and other obstacles, requiring them to use both hands and feet to find the next exit. Reaching the top offers a breathtaking view of the Dongshan River.

2. Children’s Airship
Located in the water play area, this year the organizers have transformed the ever-popular giant slide into the Children’s Airship. Once the large wind-driven propeller starts up, the airship lifts children and adults alike into the sky.

▲The previously popular slide has been redesigned this year into an "airship" shape. (Photo / Provided by organizers)

3. Parent-Child Creative Play Museum
The Parent-Child Creative Play Museum provides a play space for children aged 0 to 6. The "Exploration World Zone" is designed for babies aged 0 to 2 to learn through sensory and motor exploration. The "Creativity Inspiration Zone" offers educational and physical games for children aged 3 to 6. Coupled with the parent-child story theater in the venue, it’s an interactive and fun space not to be missed for preschoolers.

4. Flying Dreams Museum
The Flying Dreams Museum covers the history, principles, and skills of flight. The museum includes both indoor and outdoor interactive zones. Through wearable devices and projection displays, visitors can experience the thrill of flying. With concepts of "Playing," "Exploring," and "Gaming," it immerses visitors in flying scenarios. The zone features areas such as the Story House of Flight, Kids’ Flight Play Area, Flight School, Interactive Experience Zone, and the Soaring Test Flight Field.

5. Children’s Cultural and Creative Museum
Centered around three industries—"Stationery, Toys, and Furniture"—the Children’s Cultural and Creative Museum is the latest effort by the Yilan Children's Festival to promote children’s cultural creativity. Imaginative and playful designs fill the space. The museum will also house a "Creative Artisans Workshop," where local and international artists will teach visitors how to create one-of-a-kind handmade items.

6. Little Universe Theater
"The Little Universe" (Xiao Qiankun), a Taiwanese TV animation that has won seven international film awards and was the first Taiwanese production to receive a Gold Award at the Houston International Film Festival, will make its festival debut. Through its uplifting storyline, it aims to inspire positive energy in young audiences.

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2015

Yilan International Children's Folklore and Folkgame Festival
Venue: Dongshan River Water Park
Address: No. 2, Section 2, Renhe Road, Wujie Township, Yilan County 268, Taiwan
Ticket Information:
Pre-sale tickets (June 1–30): Individual tickets are NT$300 on holidays and NT$200 on weekdays; child tickets are NT$200 on holidays and NT$100 on weekdays (for children aged 6 and above, or over 115cm and under 150cm).
Pre-sales from June 2–28 take place at Yilan County Cultural Center and Luodong Cultural Factory. Tickets are also available at convenience stores 7-11, FamilyMart, Hi-Life, and OK from June 1–July 3.
Regular tickets (July 4–August 23): Individual tickets are NT$350 on holidays and NT$250 on weekdays; discounted tickets are NT$300 on holidays and NT$200 on weekdays (for groups of 20 or more using the same transportation or pre-booked groups, National Travel Card holders [limit 2 per day], those holding paper train or bus tickets from other counties to Yilan on the previous day or the day of entry [one ticket stub per one ticket], and E.SUN Bank cardholders [limit 4 per day] or iPass holders are eligible for discounts).