From skating to art displays, snowshoeing to tractor rides — a multitude of Family Day weekend activities are planned around Central Alberta.
In Red Deer, Family Day on Monday can be celebrated at the Museum and Art Gallery with activity stations, trivia challenges, and ice-cream sundaes.
It’s also the last chance to catch the Expedition Arctic: 1913-1918 exhibit, which is jam-packed with information about northern adventures.
It’s free admission for all ages from 1 to 4 p.m.
At the Cronquist House at Bower Ponds in Red Deer, Family Day will be marked with free house tours, as well as the sale of chili, cinnamon buns, coffee, tea or hot chocolate from noon to 4 p.m.
The refreshments can be taken out to enjoy while you’re skating on the frozen pond, or you can sit down and appreciate the Cronquist House’s old-fashioned ambiance.
A chance for some artistic appreciation will take place on Monday at the Kerry Wood Nature Centre, when a pop-up gallery is held from 1 to 4 p.m. in the main foyer.
Paintings, mixed-media works, ceramics and jewelry from eight local artists who are members of the Red Deer Arts Council will be displayed for the show and sale.
In North Red Deer, a meet-your-neighbours Family Day event will be held from 2 to 4 p.m on Monday at the Riverside Meadows Activity Centre, at 6021 57th Ave.
Facepainting, fish pond games, free hot chocolate and popcorn will be available.
Family Day equals winter fun in Blackfalds.
The town’s Winterfest activities from noon to 5 p.m. on Monday include ice sculpting, kids’ slides, a fire department-sponsored barbecue, a loonie hunt and door prizes.
A 7 p.m. fireworks celebration is also planned.
All of these activities will take place in the parking lot of the new Abbey Centre recreational facility on Womacks Road (free sneak-peaks of the centre will also be provided).
More fun will be offered at the Blackfalds Multi-plex, including a family skate from 3 to 5 p.m. and bingo at 3 p.m.
In Innisfail, Family Day celebrations will be held on Monday from noon to 3 p.m. Food and beverages, tractor rides, family skate, mini Olympic Games, youth and adult shinny, hotdogs and a bonfire will get underway at the Innisfail Arena.
Most of the fun happens on Saturday in Sylvan Lake, when the Winterfest and Polar Dip are happening.
sFrom a pancake breakfast in the Lion’s Hall, to a free movie marathon in the local library, to a farmer’s market at the community centre, tons of activities are being held all day.
These include afternoon chili at the Legion, and a Polar Dip at 1 p.m. at the pier. Also at the pier will be sleigh rides, face painting and kid’s activities (some are by donation), a hockey shootout, snow painting and relay races from 1:30 to 4 p.m. For a full schedule of activities, visit www.sylvanlake.ca.
On Family Day Monday, a free family swim will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Sylvan Lake pool.
In the Rocky Mountain House area, everybody is invited to attend Monday Family Day activities organized by Alberta Parks at Crimson Lake.
Families can participate in snowshoeing, snow golf, snow soccer, geocaching, and snow graffiti from noon to 3 p.m. Refreshments include s’mores and hot chocolate.