This coming Family Day on Monday, Feb. 19 will be the eleventh 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 celebrate this mid-winter break long weekend in the North Thompson Valley here is a list of a few fun things taking place in Barriere, Clearwater and a few things happening in Kamloops to enjoy.
BARRIERE – Sunday, Feb. 18 - Join the Family Fun Night PJ Party at ‘The Ridge’ at 4936 Barriere Town Road. The fun starts at 5:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.
There will be a cake contest, bouncy castles, concession, silent auction, a movie and the best of all, our favourite Uncle Chris the Clown! Wear your PJ’s. Sponsored by the North Thompson Activity Centre Society (NTACS) and the District of Barriere with donations going to the NTACS After School Program and Teen Scene.
CLEARWATER – Feb. 19 - Family Day Fun will be taking place in the Clearwater Secondary School gym with something for everyone.
Events begin at noon and continue until 3 p.m. and all activities are free with events for all ages.
Some of the activity stations include sensory bins, Polaroid photos, table top and card games, moon sand, melty beads, tote bag fabric painting, sun catchers, seedling planting, face painting, an open gym and soccer games, a family relay race.
Sponsored by: The District of Clearwater, BC Family Day, Wells Gray Community Forest and SD 73
KAMLOOPS - The 10th Annual Family Day Festival is a free event that will take place on Monday, Feb. 19, from 10 - 2 p.m. at the Tournament Capital Centre. The Tournament Capital Centre Fieldhouse will be transformed into a free festival space for families with children of all ages.
‘Toonie’ public skating will be held at Valleyview Arena 10 - 11 a.m. and 11:15 - 12:15 p.m. There will be public swimming for a ‘toonie’ public swimming at the Canada Games Aquatic Centre from 10 - 2 p.m.
