FAMILY DAY EVENTS IN AND AROUND EDMONTON
Former Alberta premier Don Getty is credited with fighting to give Albertans a specific holiday to spend quality time with their families in 1990. While the first Family Day was celebrated in Alberta 28 years ago, there are still plenty of new activities and favourite traditions to share with loved ones in and around Edmonton on Monday.
RUTHERFORD HOUSE
Where: 11153 Saskatchewan Drive When: Noon to 4 p.m.
What: Inside the historic home of the first premier of Alberta, families can enjoy historical games with costumed interpreters and make old-fashioned crafts. Admission is free.
EDMONTON VALLEY ZOO
Where: 13315 Buena Vista Road When: Noon to 4 p.m.
What: Bundle up and learn more about resident animals that love the cold, join in the fun at a polar bear craft table and learn about why the zoo is an Arctic Ambassador Centre for Polar Bears International, take part in hands-on science experiments and get a family portrait taken in a free photo booth. Regular winter admission rates apply.
SWING ’N’ SKATE
Where: 1 Sir Winston Churchill Square (City Hall)
When: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
What: Lace up your skates and glide to the rhythm as the C Jam Big Band liven up the skating rink at Edmonton City Hall while Sugar Swing Dancers teach you some new moves. Free skate rentals available.
SILVER SKATE FESTIVAL
Where: 9930 Groat Road (William Hawrelak Park)
When: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
What: Catch the last day of the Silver Sate Festival, the longest running winter festival in Edmonton rooted in Dutch winter traditions marrying sports, arts, culture and recreation. Families can try snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, horse drawn sleigh rides, jam can curling, broomball, hockey and more.
FAMILY DAY AT THE LEGISLATURE
Where: 10800 97 Ave. (Alberta Legislature Building)
When: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
What: Explore the Alberta Legislature with the Lost in the Legislature History Hunt, sing along with Michelle & Friends and watch magician Sheldon Casavant perform. This event is free to attend.
REUSE CENTRE
Where: 6835 83 St.
When: Noon to 3 p.m.
What: Join in on a number of free drop-in activities at the Reuse Centre including a dragon craft and enjoy a balloon artist, a tour and popcorn as you peruse the facility for board games, puzzles, movies and crafting supplies for $5 for up to 50 kilograms.
EDMONTON PUBLIC LIBRARIES
Where: Various locations
When: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
What: Check out your local library branch for various free drop-in activities and scheduled activities including a digital scavenger hunt, making your own musical instrument and puppet shows.
ART GALLERY OF ALBERTA
Where: 2 Sir Winston Churchill Square
When: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
What: Enjoy free admission to the gallery as well as family-friendly activities based on current exhibitions.
EDMONTON GARRISON FAMILY DAY CELEBRATION
Where: 185 Range Rd 244, Sturgeon County, Alta. (Edmonton Garrison Fitness Centre)
When: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
What: Garrison family members and families from surrounding communities are invited to share in the Edmonton Garrison Family Day Celebration. This year’s event has a Quebec Winter Carnival theme featuring a voyageur canoe, Quebecois cuisine, inflatables and outdoor activities. Admission is free with a donation to the Edmonton Garrison Chapel’s Food Bank.
FIRE AND ICE FESTIVAL
Where: 151 McKenney Ave., St. Albert, Alta. (Lacombe Lake Park) When: Noon to 4 p.m.
What: Hosted by St. Albert Firefighters Local 2130, families can join in the fun with a kids firefighter obstacle course, a petting zoo, skating and pond hockey with local firefighters, a fire artist, sleigh rides, ice carvers and craft activities. The event is free but firefighters are collecting donations on site to support muscular dystrophy initiatives. There will be no parking at Lacombe Lake Park, however there is a free park-and-ride from the St. Albert Centre 375 St. Albert Trail, St. Albert.
WINTER ADVENTURE WEEK AT ELK ISLAND NATIONAL PARK
Where: 54401 Range Rd 203, Fort Saskatchewan
When: Noon to 4 p.m.
What: Families can head to the Astotin Lake Recreational Area to enjoy live music, winter birding and other guided hikes with the Friends of Elk Island Society, learn about map reading with the Edmonton Overlanders Orienteering Club, roast apples around a fire and play various snow games at Elk Island National Park.