Many families spent the day together on Monday, the 19th anniversary of Family Day.
"I come from B.C. and they didn't have Family Day there. I just think it's amazing to have this day off to be with family," says John Howey.
The idea of a family holiday in February was mentioned in 1989 during a Thorne Speech by then Premier Ron Getty. The following year, Albertans got to celebrate the first Family Day.
Getty was initially criticized by many employers who thought the additional statutory holiday was an unnecessary fiscal burden.
But the holiday has turned into a welcome break for Albertans trying to cope with the winter blues.
Former Olympian, Catriona Le May Doan celebrated Family Day by skating at the Olympic Oval with her family. "To have my kids here skating, it's part of their lives as well. And it's great to see so many families out and to have a day that's specifically for people to go out and do activities together," says Le May Doan.
A day filled with family activities was organized at Cardel Place, a sports and recreation facility in the Northwest.
"I think in Calgary, with the economic times, we want to really stress that family time is the most important thing and spending it in a facility like this is a great way to reduce stress and come together as a family," says Brad Anderson from Cardel Place.
Alberta isn't the only province marking Family Day. Saskatchewan and Ontario also take the third Monday off in February to spend time with their loved ones.
Those in Manitoba mark Louis Riel Day on the third Monday in February.
