CALGARY -- The Province of Alberta and City of Calgary are celebrating the 30th anniversary of Family Day on Monday and there’s no shortage of fun-filled and inexpensive activities for kids and parents alike.
Studio Bell will be hosting the "ultimate" family dance party from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. featuring Calgary DJ duo Smalltown DJs and Skratch Bastid.
The party will also showcase organ demos, sing-a-longs and music making workshops.
Chandelle Negrych said it was her first time visiting the music centre and it was especially meaningful on Family Day.
“Without my family, I wouldn’t be the person that I am now, so they mean everything to me," she said.
Many parents had the opportunity to bust a move and join in on the fun with their kids during the dance.
Adam Fox with the National Music Centre says although it may appear to be just a party, there’s a lot of learning that takes place.
"NMC is an educational institution. We want folks to be learning stuff while they are entertained," he said.
"We try to Trojan horse in educational material about how music is made."
Pete Emes, one half of the Smalltown DJs, is used to playing to an older crowd at festivals, but with a six and three year old at home, he’s able to perform for his kids and so many others.
"Especially since my wife and I had kids, it's been something I’ve wanted to do," he said.
"Also because my kids aren’t able to come to our gigs because they’re too young, so this is just a fun way to get everyone together."
The Dandy Brewing Company is also holding family-centred events. Owner Ben Leon says Family Day is about coming together with a Quebec staple, the sugar shack experience.
"People sort of come together to celebrate the coming year and with family and friends and just feast so we thought, it's Family Day, we want to spend time with our families and thought it’d be a really great fitting event."
The fun doesn’t end at Studio Bell. Just across the street, the Central Library will host a family day pyjama party with a cartoon marathon, pop-up performances, crafts and treats from noon until 4 p.m.
The city will also be offering free public skating from 1 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. at the following arenas:
- Ernie Starr Arena
- Frank McCool Arena
- Murray Copot Arena
- Optimist/George Blundun Arenas
- Rose Kohn/Jimmie Condon Arenas
- Shouldice Arena
- Stew Hendry/Henry Viney Arenas
- Stu Peppard Arena
As always, Olympic Plaza will be open for free skating from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
A number of recreation facilities are also offering 50 per cent admission from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. They include:
- Bob Bahan Aquatic & Fitness Centre
- Canyon Meadows Aquatic & Fitness Centre
- Inglewood Aquatic Centre
- Killarney Aquatic & Recreation Centre
- Renfrew Aquatic & Recreation Centre
- Shouldice Aquatic Centre
- Thornhill Aquatic & Fitness Centre
Not everything is open on Family Day though. The following facilities will be closed:
- All City of Calgary Administrative buildings including City Hall
- Northmount Pleasant and Wildflower Arts Centres
- Animal Services Centre
- Acadia Aquatic & Fitness Centre
- Beltline Aquatic & Fitness Centre
- Foothills Aquatic Centre
- Glenmore Aquatic Centre
- Sir Winston Churchill Aquatic & Recreation Centre
City landfills including East Calgary, Shepard and Spyhill will be open on Family Day.
Calgary Transit will operate on a Sunday level service and the Calgary Parking Authority (CPA) will offer free on-street parking. Holiday rates will be charged in select CPA parkades and surface lots.
