Red Deerians took part in Family Day celebrations across the city on Monday.
One of those celebrations was a Family Snow Day at Sunnybrook Farm Museum, where Red Deerians were able to toboggan, enjoy sleigh rides with a team of horses, roast marshmallows over a fire pit and drink hot chocolate at the site’s Hanna Log House.
“Our volunteers just started doing this Family Day event two years ago,” explained Ian Warwick, Sunnybrook executive director.
“They wanted to do a couple of events during the wintertime to bring people out to museum and have an entry-by-donation event day. The goal isn’t to make money, but to give the kids a chance to have fun.”
The horse sleigh was a popular attraction during the Family Day celebration at the farm, Warwick noted.
“Last year they did about 60 rides. There were 400 or 500 different kids who went on the ride,” he said.
“There are a little kids who have never been able to see a horse. They get to go up to one here and that’s an experience by itself.”
There were numerous public events Red Deerians were able to participate in throughout the day. Some of the sites of these events included Cronquist House, the Red Deer Museum and Art Gallery, the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame, and Gaetz Lake Sanctuary. There was also a Family Fun Fair at Festival Hall.
Minister of Arts, Culture and Status of Women Tanya Fir issued a statement on the 30-year tradition known as Family Day.
“Regardless of what a family looks like, family is central to all our lives. Today is a day to thank our families, the ones we are born into and the families we choose, for giving us strength to endure hardships, and for our many blessings and fond memories,” Fir said.
The Government of Alberta provided free admission to nine museums and sites across the province for Family Day, including the Reynolds Museum in Wetaskiwin and the Royal Tyrrell Museum in Drumheller.
“Provincial historic sites and museums give Albertans fun ways to spend the day,” said Fir.
“Albertans can also experience the great outdoors with events at many of Alberta’s parks. I encourage everyone to find a fun family activity near you.”
sean.mcintosh@reddeeradvocate.com
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter