Two outdoor charity swim events are among the host of activities Central Albertans can enjoy over the Family Day long weekend.
The Sylvan Lake WinterFest on Saturday, Feb. 16, features the Polar Bear Dip at 1 p.m. on the Sylvan Lake Provincial Park pier’s west side.
Dippers raising donations for charities of choice can register by calling 403-887-1192 ext. 511.
Other activities, including sleigh rides, will occur on the lake from 1:30 to 4 p.m., with the day capped by fireworks at 7 p.m.
The Penhold WinterFest on Feb. 16 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Lincoln Street Recreation Centre features a family skate, competitive three-person toboggan pull and bigfoot race, snow painting, sledding, homemade ice cream and mini-golf.
An eight-team recreational hockey tournament is open for registrations by emailing events@townofpenhold.ca.
The Blackfalds Penguin Dip on Monday, Feb. 18, from 1 to 2 p.m. has $200 cash prizes to be added to the charity pledges of the top individual and business-sponsored dippers and not-for-profit community group. Dippers must pre-register by calling 403-885-6241.
Other activities at the Multi-Plex include a family skate from 1 to 3 p.m., Scouts-sponsored family bingo from 2 to 3 p.m. and field house youth tile fundraiser and ice sculpting from noon to 3 p.m. Fireworks at dusk at All-Star Park will end the day.
The Kerry Wood Nature Centre has, from 1 to 4 p.m. on Feb. 18, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and a concert by children’s entertainer Peter Puffin.
Admission is free to the City of Red Deer-sponsored event, but donations to the centre are appreciated.
The Collicutt Centre and G.H. Dawe Community Centre are open Family Day, but the Recreation Centre and Michener Aquatic Centre are closed. Bower Ponds is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Heritage Ranch is open from 1 to 4 p.m., with bookings needed for pony and sleigh rides by calling 403-347-4977.
The Innisfail Kinsmen Club offers free hot dogs, hot chocolate and coffee at the outdoor rink behind the town’s arena starting at noon on Feb. 18.
Sleigh rides and a fire pit monitored by the volunteer fire department will also be available, as will a free family swim at the Innisfail Aquatic centre.
The Olds Aquatic Centre has free public swimming from 2 to 4 p.m. on Family Day courtesy of the town’s Co-op.
The Town of Ponoka’s event on Feb. 18 at the Ponoka Arena from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. has sleigh rides, public skating, shinny hockey, a family photo booth, a fire pit monitored by the volunteer fire department and family learn to curl from 1 to 3 p.m. Admission is a donation to the food bank.
A free family swim at the Aquaplex goes from 2 to 6 p.m.
The Stettler Snowfest and Family Day Carnival on Feb. 18 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Recreation Centre features a free family swim from 1 to 3 p.m., many on ice activities, floor hockey, bouncy houses, carpet bowling and raffles.
Admission to the event organized in part by the town’s Kinette Club is $10 per family or a food bank donation.
rfiedler@www.reddeeradvocate.com