People in the provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, and Prince Edward Island enjoy Family Day as a statutory holiday every February. For people with families, this holiday is all about quality time, and cities across Canada hold special events and Family Day festivals. In 2011, Family Day falls on Monday, February 21.
Family Day Events in Edmonton
Downtown at Edmonton's Churchill Square, the City of Edmonton is throwing its Winter Light Family Day, an afternoon of horse-drawn wagon rides, free ice skate rentals and hot chocolate, musical performances, and a flag parade. Meanwhile, the University of Alberta presents its 2011 Chinese New Year Family Day celebration at nearby Enterprise Square; it'll feature firecrackers, a lion dance, children's activities, performances and more. Finally, Rutherford House Provincial Historic Site will be hosting an open house in honour of the home's 100th anniversary. Admission is free.
Family Day Events in Calgary
Calgary's Family Day festivities are numerous. The City of Calgary is holding a free public skate and free public swim day at selected arenas and pools across town. Heritage Park is hosting a hands-on family quest from February 17 to 21, which involves families working together on a variety of interactive challenges. Down at Calgary's Olympic Plaza, TD Winterfest is taking place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will include live ice sculpting as well as the chance to meet some famous hockey players.
Family Day Events in Regina
The RCMP Heritage Centre in Regina is hosting a serious Family Day festival with sleigh ride, snowshoeing, shinny hockey, as well as face-painting and crafts for children and hot chocolate and cookies. Admission is free for kids under 5.
Louis Riel Day Events in WInnipeg
In Manitoba, the third Monday of February is a holiday but it's known as Louis Riel Day and celebrates the vision of the man who, according to the provincial government's official website, "was the driving force behind Manitoba becoming Canada’s fifth province." Winnipeg events on Louis Riel Day include the week-long Festival du Voyageur, as well as a free celebration at the St. Boniface Museum presented by the Manitoba Metis Federation with a traditional Metis lunch and entertainment.
Family Day Events in Toronto
Out on Queen Street East, the fourth annual Beach BIA Family Day Festival is happening in Kew Gardens, with a plethora of performances, activities, treats, demonstrations, and even a petting zoo. Casa Loma is holding a very kid-friendly Dora the Explorer-themed scavenger hunt complete with Dora meet-and-greet. Downtown, the Hockey Hall of Fame is offering free admission to kids under 13 accompanied by a paying adult.
Family Day Events in Ottawa
In Ottawa, Family Day offerings are fairly limited but kids under 18 can enjoy a free visit to the Canadian Museum of War provided they're with a paying adult; only one free admission per paying adult is permitted. The Billings Estate National Historic Site has a great program for Family Day: visitors can try their hand at snowshoeing, go on a sleigh ride, and toast a few marshmallows over a bonfire.
Islander Day Events on PEI
Prince Edward Island celebrates the third Monday of the month as Islander Day, and in 2011 Parks Canada is hosting a free family-friendly event at PEI National Park (Dalvay). There will be skating, snowshoeing, and hot chocolate and cider.
Things To Do On Family Day
February's Family Day statutory holiday is a great time to spend the day with the family, and these festivals and events taking place across Canada should provide some fun Family Day activity ideas.
Sources:
Family Day Events. Family Fun Calgary. Retr. 16 Feb. 2011.
Fun Ways To Play on Family Day 2011. City of Edmonton. 15 Feb. 2011. Retr. 16 Feb. 2011.
Louis Riel Day Events. Province of Manitoba. Retr. 16 Feb. 2011.
Museum Offers Family Day Freebies. CBC. 15 February 2011. Retr. 16 Feb. 2011.
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