The Kátt Children´s Festival at Víðistaðatún on July 27th

Happy at Víðistaðatún for many hours!

A giant tent with a snowstorm, Páll Óskar, the VÆB band and a lotus tent with sound healing awaits guests at the children’s festival Kátt, which will be held at Víðistaðatún on July 27th. The schedule is packed and there have never been more events on offer.

Jóna Elísabet Ottesen and Valdís Helga Þorgeirsdóttir are the founders of the children’s festival and manage all the reins with a solid team. This is the fifth time it´s being held, but this time for the first time in Hafnarfjörður — five years since the last one. The reason is that Jóna was in a serious car accident and is now confined to a wheelchair. She says that the feeling of being back with the festival is absolutely fantastic.

“Yes, it’s crazy, I would say,” she says and laughs lightly. “This is a passion project that was in full swing just before the accident,” she says and is now back on track.

A packed schedule for the whole family

Various workshops and great entertainers adorn the festival. In addition to Páll Óskar and VÆB, Lalli the magician will also be on the big stage. All kinds of workshops will be available for the children. Valdís lists the highlights on offer:

“For example, a DJ workshop, a writing workshop with Bergrún Íris, rhythm and lyrics with Hrafnkell from Agent Fresco and Steinunn from AmabAdama. The list is long,” she says. “Yes, preparations are going well. It’s getting closer and closer, plenty to do these last few days before the festival begins,” says Valdís.

Jóna says that a lot of work, organization and stress has gone into the preparations. She was aware of this. “Now we are tying all the ends together. I wasn’t sure if I could go back into the project knowing all the balls that need to be juggled. But it has gone so well,” she says. “We have great girls in the team, real bulldozers, it’s great to see the festival finally become a reality. I don’t think it’s ever been such a cool festival. Everything is clicking, everything that we dreamed of and a lot of excitement.”

Expecting thousands of visitors

Valdís says that thousands of guests have attended the event throughout the years. The first year around 1500 guests and then about 3000 guests each of the other years. “We expect the same number this year and hope that the weather gods will be on our side. But if it rains, we hope that people will put on their rain coats and show up, because it will be so much fun and people are so pleased with the initiative,” says Valdís.

The festival used to be at Klambratún in Reykjavík but now it will be at Víðistaðatún in Hafnarfjörður. “This is a passion project for all of us, done with the power of grants and volunteers.” Valdís says that Víðistaðatún is a good fit for the festival. “We received such a good reception from Hafnarfjarðarbær. We were warmly welcomed. It’s a fun and cool field that suits the festival well.” Jóna agrees. “This field fits the project; having this beautiful nature around. The main new thing is that we are now focusing on accessibility issues for wheelchairs and walkers. It’s easy at Víðistaðatún.”

The festival will be from 11-16 on July 27th

The festival takes place between 11 am and 4 pm and is suitable for all ages up to 13. “Admission to the stage is free for 0-3 year olds. We will have a changing tent for the youngest age groups,” says Valdís and that the tickets can be found on MiðiX.

“We are setting the ticket price to a reasonable level. You can buy family packages and get a better deal. The area is fenced off to ensure the safety of children. Adults are welcome with their children,” says Valdís and smiles as the goal of the festival is for the whole family to be entertained.

• Jóna told about her journey in Kastljós earlier this year, which can be read here.
• The Facebook page of the Kátt Children’s Festival here.
• Here you will find tickets to the Kátt Children’s Festival on MiðiX.