Sleigh rides and barrel races make for Family Day fun
There’s no shortage of family fun to be had in and around Edmonton on Monday’s Family Day holiday. Family Day in Alberta was started by former premier Don Getty and was officially recognized on Feb. 19, 1990, the first Family Day in Canada.
ALBERTA LEGISLATURE
Address: 9820 107 St., Edmonton Federal Building and the Legislative Assembly Visitor Centre Time: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Activities: Lost in the Legislature history hunt; indigenous games and crafts; replica Legislature building in the Lego zone; magic by The Great Balanzo! and Ron Pearson; clown workshops; live music from Dan the One Man Band and historic rap battles from RCKYMTN Rumble Rappers; a family photo booth with props; temporary tattoos and the Discovery Agents app.
MILL WOODS TOWN CENTRE
Address: 2331 66 St. Time: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Activities: A mini carnival including popcorn, barrel racing, crafts and a Teddy Bear Clinic for toys and animals to get a “check up.” The Edmonton Public Library at that location will also host a popup maker space.
PROVINCIAL ARCHIVES OF ALBERTA
Address: 8555 Roper Rd. Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Activities: The annual Family History Day event includes guided behind-the-scenes tours and introductory workshops on genealogy. The event is free, but requires preregistration. Register on Eventbrite or by calling 780-427-1750.
EDMONTON VALLEY ZOO
Address: 13315 Buena Vista Rd. Time: Noon to 4 p.m. Activities: Polar bear craft table, animal families scavenger hunt, photo booth, and Family Day mission on the Discovery Agents app.
RUTHERFORD HOUSE PROVINCIAL HISTORIC SITE
Address: 11153 Saskatchewan Dr. Time: Noon to 4 p.m. Activities: Free admission to learn about Alexander Cameron Rutherford, Alberta’s first premier, and his family. There will be historical games, costumed interpreters, treats made in a historic kitchen and you can make an old-fashioned craft.
STEELE HEIGHTS BAPTIST CHURCH
Address: 5812-149 Ave. Time: Noon to 4 p.m. Activities: Pioneer-themed Family Day festival.
EDMONTON CITY HALL
Address: 1 Sir Winston Churchill Square. Time: Noon to 4 p.m. (tile painting noon to 3 p.m.) Activities: Performances from Mattierin Irish Dancers, Wajjo African Drummers, Nikolai the Juggler, crafts, skate rentals (weather permitting), hay rides, bannock making, and tile painting for the Canada 150 Mural Mosaic Project.
EDMONTON PUBLIC LIBRARIES
Address: Various locations Time: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Activities: Movies, juggling, drum circles, puppet shows, storytelling, live music and more.
RABBIT HILL FAMILY FESTIVAL
Address: D-25512 Township Rd 510A, Leduc County Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Activities: Music, barbecue and bake sale to benefit the Second Chance Animal Rescue Society, food truck, sled dogs, snow-skate demos and more.
ST. ALBERT FIRE AND ICE FESTIVAL
Address: Lacombe Lake Park, McKenney Ave., St. Albert. Time: Noon to 4 p.m. Activities: Firefighter obstacle course for kids, a fire hose tug of war, fire artist performances at 2 p.m. and 3 p.m., horse-drawn sleigh rides, an ice carver, fire trucks, free hot dogs and goodies, and fire pits.
ELK ISLAND NATIONAL PARK
Time: Noon to 4 p.m. Activities: Free admission. Activities available include snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, skating and live musical performances.
MORINVILLE SNOWMAN FESTIVAL
Address: Free Park and Ride from Skyline Ball Diamonds, 10510 107 St. to Heritage Lake. Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Activities: Pre-registered threeon-three hockey tournament, Snowman Games, visit with Elsa and Anna from Frozen, family photo station, family skating, fire pits and a food truck.