There are places to chill out, get toasty, eat and run around during the Family Day weekend.
If you want to see some hardy Central Albertans get really wet and freeze at the same time, check out Polar Bear Dip during Saturday’s Sylvan Lake Winterfest.
The dip has attracted 42 registrants who will jump into the water on the pier’s west side at 1 p.m.
Sleigh rides and other activities will occur on the lake from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Fireworks will cap events off at 7 p.m.
Also in Sylvan Lake is the 24-hour Marathon Relay, which gets underway at 2 p.m. on Sunday. It continues until Monday at 2 p.m.
Organizer Art Goelema said that three groups, for a total of 16 skaters, will be on the track, which he describes as some of the best ice in years. Participants will take turns skating one hour on, two hours off on the five-km track.
The skaters are raising money for the Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada. Everyone is invited to watch.
Temperatures shouldn’t be bad on the weekend either.
Red Deer is expecting a high of 4C on Saturday, -4C on Sunday and -8C on Monday.
Here are some other activities taking place around the region.
Red Deer — Ativities at Kerry Wood Nature Centre, from 1 to 4 p.m. on Monday, include snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and a concert by children’s entertainer Peter Puffin.
Admission is free, donations welcome.
The Collicutt Centre and G.H. Dawe Community Centre are open Monday, but the Recreation Centre and Michener Aquatic Centre are closed.
Bower Ponds will be 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.
Penhold — Winterfest on Saturday runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Lincoln Street Recreation Centre.
It features everything from a family skate to snow painting and a competitive three-person toboggan pull, plus a bigfoot race.
Blackfalds — Family Day activities on Monday will begin at noon and run until dusk.
The fire department barbecue will run from noon to 2 p.m. and includes hot chocolate, hot dogs and chips.
The penguin dip has been cancelled due to lack of registered jumpers.
There’s also the Penguin Kids Zone for children.
At dusk, there are fireworks at All-Star Park. There is limited parking.
For more information, go online at www.blackfalds.com.
Innisfail — Innisfail Kinsmen Club is offering free hot dogs, hot chocolate and coffee at the outdoor rink behind the arena starting at noon on Monday.
Sleigh rides and a firepit monitored by the fire department can also be enjoyed, as well as a free family swim at the Innisfail Aquatic Centre.
Olds — Olds Aquatic Centre will have free public swimming from 2 to 4 p.m. on Monday.
Ponoka — On Monday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Ponoka Arena, activities range from sleigh rides to a firepit and family learn-to-curl from 1 to 3 p.m. Admission is donation to food bank. A free family swim runs at the Aquaplex from 2 to 6 p.m.
Stettler — Stettler Snowfest and Family Day Carnival on Monday from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Recreation Centre, featuring a free family swim from 1 to 3 p.m., plus bouncy houses, carpet bowling and many on-ice activities. Admission is $10 per family or a food bank donation.
ltester@www.reddeeradvocate.com