Buddy and Friends Children's Festival
At the Railway Museum of BC.
Join us for the 2nd annual ‘Buddy and Friends’ Children’s Festival weekend! Saturday May 2 and Sunday May 3, 2026.
Performing arts to enjoy, culture to immerse yourself in and lots to learn about trains and railways.
Tickets on sale NOW!
A full weekend of fun, featuring the Performing Arts, Culture, Adventure and Learning!
TRAINS will be running all day.
Gates open at 9:30 am.
The Festival stages are set for an exciting and vibrant weekend of multi talented artists, entertainment and activities!
Legendary Juno winner Al Simmons graces the stage with his inventive comedy, music and wit.
Enjoy the fabulous songs and hilarity of the Myrtle Sisters and JUNO Award winner Norman Foote.
Ira Pettle works the audience with improv and movement.
Mike Battie brings his juggling and stilt walking skills.
The Ta Daa Lady and her Nylon Zoo is a feature on the site with her gigantic walk through salmon and her costumed parade.
Discover the talented Jaeda Willson-Rymer.
Enjoy all the additional creative activities, and of course, train rides and Museum exhibits all around you! It will be a full weekend of festive family fun.
Our BC-21 Budd Rail Diesel car will be operating for you to enjoy riding a real train. Our Mini-Rail Train will take you on a 20 minute journey around the Museum grounds. Take a spin on ‘Big Red’, our CN Maintenance-of-way Track Speeder.
Bring the whole family and enjoy a day full of fun. Create family memories that last forever!
There’s lots of performers and activities to enjoy while you visit!
Al Simmons
Musician, comedian, entertainer
He recently performed his music with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and headlines in festivals throughout North America. Al is truly a legendary performer with endless energy and enthusiasm with every concert appearance.
Often described as a “one-man cast of thousands” and a “modern-day comedy chameleon”, Al Simmons entertains audiences with a mix of zany songs, prop comedy, and homemade inventions.
“A masterpiece . . . Al Simmons’ concert”
-Los Angeles Times
“For those in search of the truly zany, the undisputed king is Al Simmons… A popular wildly original performer…”
-Maclean’s Magazine
Norman Foote
Singer, songwriter, comedian
Norman Foote is a Juno Award-winning Family entertainer from Vancouver who has received international acclaim for his songwriting, outrageous props and offbeat sense of humour. He has also received Parents’ Choice Gold Awards, and many WCMA awards. He has an incredible new album, “Shoe-fly”, a collection of wild and woolly songs for the young at heart.
His ability to find ageless melodies and interesting subject matter brings laughter and singing to audiences big and small.
Norman has written and recorded for Disney records, CBC, Shari Lewis, Max and Ruby and others.
“It’s easy to see why Norman Foote is so popular. He’s as much a comedian as he is a musician and quickly gets people laughing.”
Calgary Herald
The Myrtle Sisters
On Stage and Street
The Myrtle Sisters are Candice Roberts, Nayana Fielkov, and Kat Single-Dain, a Vancouver trio delighting audiences of all ages with their harmonies, twinkling-tap numbers and family antics!
Expect plenty of charm and shenanigans along with their original and historic songs and dances.
As well as their stage show, they will be seen and heard on the ground level with their Can-do band, an inventive clattering of odds & ends and pots & pans that involves everyone that dares to get close enough and participate.
Mike Battie
Physical comedian, juggler, unicyclist, stilt walker
Mike has been charming audiences throughout North America for the last three decades and more. His easy comedic banter and many master juggling skills have made him a sought after performer for festivals and concerts.
His engaging performances are always visual, full of comedy and surprises.
The way you involve your audience in your show keeps them all in anticipation and wanting more. It’s obvious you love what you do and this comes through in your work.”
— Vancouver International Children’s Festival
Jaeda Willson-Rymer
Singer, songwriter, musician
From Squamish, Jaeda is a rising star who is making fans wherever she sings. With her amazing vocal talent and awesome spirit she captures audience of all ages.
She is well known throughout the sea to sky corridor, and is presently doing some recording of her original songs. It’s always a treat to see her shine in front of a family audience.
Jaeda is very versatile and we’re so happy she has joined the cast of entertainers at this festival..
Ira Pettle
Arts educator, entertainer, creator.
Ira Pettle combines music, comedy and improv all the great effect. He has a magical connection to kids and his audiences.
A graduate of the acclaimed Second City Conservatory Program in Toronto, with a Master of Education, Ira is truly a gifted and exciting performer.
Whistler recently named him a ‘Champion of Arts and Culture’ at the Whistler Conservatory Program.
He recently received a WCMA award for his latest recording, “ Little Bit”
The Nylon Zoo
Angela Brown
Angela is the ‘Ta Daa!’ lady with her celebratory event called the Nylon Zoo, an event that is interactive for the entire family.
It’s a colourful creation of inflatable sculptures with story telling, includes colourful costumes and even a parade.
A Giant Salmon graces the festival site. You can actually go inside the salmon and be enlightened and educated. It’s where fantasy entertainment and education unite.
Interactive activities & workshops
Local-motion stage – Presenting local ‘up and coming’ talent! Featuring:
Squamish Academy of Music,
Cam Salay and the Brackendale School of Fun Arts,
And More!
Creative Corner workshop – A hands on experience building puppets, mural painting and other cool stuff. A great hands-on experience you can take home with you.
Canadian Toy Train Association – Drive Thomas the Tank Engine. CTTA will be operating their huge electric train layout with a controller for the Thomas engine kids can drive.
Member Gordon Hall will have multiple floor display trains running with controls for the kids to run trains!
