The first long weekend of 2024 is almost here.
The 12th annual B.C. Family Day holiday is Monday, Feb. 19, and families throughout the province will have access to free activities from Feb. 16-19 in their communities to celebrate and spend time with loved ones.
“People all over B.C. are planning to celebrate Family Day with a special activity,” said Lana Popham, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport. “It’s important British Columbians have a great selection of inclusive, meaningful experiences in their communities where cost is not a barrier.”
The province provided $250,000 in annual grants to community-based and Indigenous organizations for programs this year. The funding is administered by the BC Museums Association and BC Recreation and Parks Association.
Three North Okanagan communities were among the recipients and will stage various events Monday, Feb. 19.
The City of Vernon will host free public skating at Kal Tire Place North arena from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., and again from 12:30 to 2 p.m. There is also a Vernon Vipers Family Day B.C. Hockey League game at 2 p.m. against the Cranbrook Bucks, and there’s a free family skate with the Vipers after the game.
The District of Coldstream encourages its residents to celebrate Family Day at the Coldstream Community Hall. Bring a yoga mat, blanket or lawn chair and settle in to watch the movie Elemental on the hall’s big screen. Before and after the event, visit game and booths in the gallery and learn about how the world can better live in harmony.
Doors open at 12:15 p.m. for the games, activities, juggling and circus arts. The movie will begin at 1:15 p.m.
In Enderby, the Enderby Arena and Curling Rink will host activities from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. including floor hockey, ladder ball, bean bag toss, obstacle course and more.
There will be crafts and board games in the curling rink lounge. Tim Hortons has donated coffee, hot chocolate and Timbits for the occasion.
This story was updated Wednesday, Feb. 14, at 12:04 p.m. to correct times for the Coldstream events
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