By Sheldon Spackman

The Family Day long weekend is upon us and there are plenty of activities in and around Red Deer to keep families entertained over the next few days.

In Red Deer, you can kick-off the Family Day long weekend Friday, February 17th with an old-time multi-generational community dance with live music by Jukebox Rock and a D.J. You can learn the Bunny Hop, dance to a variety of music and enjoy refreshments and door prizes. Admission for a family of four is $20, Adults $10, Youth $5, Children 3 and under are free. The event is presented by the Country Pride Dance Club, Red Deer Arts Council, Red Deer Cultural Heritage Society, City of Red Deer Culture Services and Peavey Mart. The All ages event will be at Festival Hall on 58th Street and runs from 6:30 – 11:00 pm.

On Family Day itself, Monday, February 20th, kids get in free at the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame and Museum. There are interactive exhibits, hot chocolate will be available, as well as family friendly crafts to do. Entry for Adults is $5, with the facility open from 10 am to 5 pm.

In Penhold, the town is holding it’s annul Winterfest from 1 – 3 pm on Monday, February 20th. Residents are invited to the Lincoln Street Recreation Center for the event There will be hot dogs and marshmallows to roast, hot chocolate to drink, skating, games, and Emmett from The Lego Movie will come between 1:30 and 2:30! This is a FREE family event but if the weather is too warm, the skating portion may be cancelled.

In Blackfalds, the town’s annual Winterfest is also on Monday, February 20th. Family oriented events will be taking place between 9 am and 5 pm around Town.

New to the lineup of events, Winterfest will begin with the Dual Ice Development Society (D.I.D.S) serving up a pancake breakfast by donation at the Community Hall (4810 Womacks Road). The Blackfalds firefighters will be hosting a fundraiser barbeque at noon at the Abbey Centre (4500 Womacks Road) and appreciate your donations to this extremely valuable volunteer service.

FREE Winterfest activities include horse drawn sleigh rides; an ice slide and snow maze; games and bouncy castles in the Servus Kidz Zone; and cheering on the brave Penguin Dippers making a splash for charity in the 10th Annual Penguin Dip – with trophies for best costume and funds raised!

Returning again this year, are the world renowned Ice On Whyte ice carvers, who will be carving some amazing ice sculptures, and hosting the Li’l Chippers learn to ice carve program. Juiced Audio’s family skate party and the family bingo, both held at the Blackfalds Multi-Plex Arena (5302 Broadway Avenue), will conclude the fun-filled day.

Parking is very limited, so BOLT Transit will be providing FREE bus service around Town throughout the day – view the BOLT schedule for the day along with the full schedule of events at blackfalds.com/events.

In Lacombe, “My Beach Bash” will be held on Saturday, February 18th from 5 – 8pm at the Kinsmen Aquatic Centre. Tickets include games, prizes, sno-cones and swimming.

Then, there will be a free family fun skate on Sunday, February 19th at the Gary Moe Auto Group Sportsplex – Can Pak Arena 2 from 1 – 3pm. There will also be free hot dogs and hot chocolate, courtesy of Central Alberta Co-Op and the City of Lacombe. The event is being hosted by Lacombe and District FCSS and Central Alberta Youth Unlimited.

In Sylvan Lake, there will be a Lion’s Pancake Breakfast from 9 am – 12 pm at the Lion’s Hall on Saturday, February 18th. Then lots of family fun east of the Pier from 12 pm – 3 pm. Activities include sleigh rides, bonfire and s’more roasting, coffee & hot chocolate, hockey shoot outs, mini-golf, a petting zoo, picture board, snow painting &  skating. There will also be a Farmer’s Market from 12 pm – 4 pm at the Community Centre Gym, a Polar Bear Dip on the west side of the Pier starting at 1:00 pm. Free hot chocolate with candy sticks in front of the Stone House on 46th Street. Plus fireworks at the Pier starting at 7 pm.

On Sunday, February 19th, there will be more free hot chocolate with candy sticks in front of the Stone House on 46th Street between 1 – 3 pm. However, a snow-shoe event planned for this day has been cancelled due to the warm weather.

On Monday, February 20th, it’s Family Day Fun Day at Bonavista Fine Art between 12 – 4 pm.

Please note, some of the above mentioned activities come with an admission fee.

Finally, in Innisfail, The Boys and Girls Club of Red District is holding a family fun day at the Innisfail Aquatic Centre on the Family Day Weekend. There will be free drop-in swimming, as well as free food and drink on Saturday, February 18th between 3 – 5 pm. Plus, the Boys and Girls Club will be handing out information about some new programming and will be onsite to register youth for summer programs at Camp Alexo.

Then on Monday, February 20th, the schedule of events includes Family skating (at the skating loop behind the Arena) and a BBQ between 12 – 3 pm. From 2:30 – 4:30 pm –  a Family swim (at the Aquatic Centre — admission by way of Food Bank donation). Food bank donations in the form of a non-perishable item will be accepted at both locations to help families in need!