For one special day, Pioneer park is transformed into a magical wonderland. For Nevada City Children’s Festival, the park comes alive with banners, strolling minstrels, jugglers, magicians, face painters, trolls, fortune tellers, dragons, knights, and more – all part of a Renaissance-style craft fair for children. Tables for 20+ crafts are arranged for children to make Renaissance costumes, swords, shields, magic wands, crowns, necklaces, rings. They engage in wood block construction, soapstone carving, clay modeling and castle painting. The whimsical nature of the event and the wonderful variety of crafts entertains children ages 2 to 92. Nevada City Rotary is the organizing sponsor. For months in advance Rotarians meet several times a month to prepare the various art and crafts, make costumes, and assemble decorations. Rotarians set up and tear down the event and staff crafts tables. In 2014, nearly 2600 attended with proceeds benefiting the Park. A valued tradition since 1974!