Innisfail is adding its own Winter Olympic spirit on Family Day.
From noon until 3 p.m. on Feb. 17 the Innisfail Arena ñ both inside and outside ñ will be the venue to share local family fun with several free activities. This year, in honour of the Sochi Winter Games, the afternoon of fun and leisure will also be an opportunity for Innisfailians to celebrate Canada's participation at the Olympics.
ìI believe collectively Albertans knew we could not make it through these winters without a long weekend break. It is a chance for everyone to enjoy some winter fun, and yes, winter can be fun,î said Surina Carloni, the town's marketing and social media coordinator, who pointed out that Alberta was the first Canadian province to celebrate Family Day in February. ìWe have zany Olympic-style games and prizes planned for those that are daring and bold. Bring your kids, pets, grandma, or your favourite community member and help Innisfail express its community spirit.î
Monica Murray, the town's recreation programmer, said the Family Day activities, sponsored by the town and the Kinsmen Club of Innisfail, have been expanded to give a distinct Olympic flavour.
ìWe are adding extra games. Normally it is just an outdoor skate, hotdogs and tractor rides, but this year we are adding shinny and we're opening up the arena and adding the extra few games,î said Murray. ìWe want to encourage people to come out, bring their families, be active and involved and have a good time. It is free and for all ages.î
Along with skating, outdoor fun will include bocce, a mogul run for kids as well as a giant tarp game where young and old can throw a football through different shapes. There will also be a firepit and of course, the popular tractor rides. Hotdogs and beverages will be served.
Starting at 1 p.m. organizers will host games of shinny inside the arena for both youth and adults, which will also see draw prizes.
For more information on Family Day events in Innisfail, contact the town at 403-227-3376.
