This coming Family Day on Monday, Feb. 17 will be the 12th long weekend since the holiday began 2013 in B.C.
Originally, Family Day, was celebrated in a variety of ways in the provinces that observe the holiday on the third Monday of February each year. The holiday was shifted to the third Monday in 2019 when announced by former Premier John Horgan the decision was to better align the holiday for businesses and families. Horgan said by moving the holiday it would give families an opportunity to schedule and spend more time with loved ones in other provinces.
In 1990, Alberta initiated the first Family Day under the leadership of Premier Don Getty, in order to break up the long winter period between New Year’s Day and Good Friday. Saskatchewan eventually implemented its own Family Day in 2007 and Ontario followed that in 2008.
Now the only other places that don’t celebrate this family themed long weekend are Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador and the three territories.
Manitoba calls its statutory holiday during the February break Louis Riel Day and Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island have different holidays set aside during that time as well.
However you and your family choose to spend time together on this Family Day long weekend, here are a few fun things planned in both Clearwater and Barriere.
In Clearwater: Family Fun Day takes place at the Clearwater Secondary School gym on Monday, February 17 starting at noon and going until 3:00 p.m.
Lots of fun activities for the whole family include: volcano making, toddler room, Polaroid photos, open gym games, rock painting, dress up and dancing, board games, ping pong, paper crafts, face painting, acrylic painting, snowflake Igloo making, cookie decorating, refreshments, drumming and a free Scholastic book for the kids to take home.
Sponsored by: School District 73 at CSS, Wells Gray Community Forests, The District of Clearwater and Yellowhead Community Services
In Barriere: Family Fun Night takes place on February 16 at The Ridge starting at 5:30 and going until 9:00 p.m. and Family Fun Day on February 17 starts at 11:00 a.m. at the Agriplex, North Thompson Fall Fair grounds. There will be games on horses, a tack sale, vendors, a concession and lots of photo opps!
Enjoy family time in the North Thompson Valley were memories are made all through the year.
