The frozen pond at Bud Miller All Seasons Park was packed with skaters during last year’s Winterfest activities. Source File Photo
Folks of all ages are in for a treat at this year’s Winterfest event.
The event offers an array of free activities at five different locations throughout the Border City this coming holiday Monday, which also happens to be Family Day.
“It’s just a way for everyone to stay active in the wintertime and have fun and meet others in the community,” said Sandra Brown, recreation programmer for the City of Lloydminster.
“This would be about the second year that we’ve done it at five different facilities. Not everybody has transportation, and so we tried to find something in every neighbourhood that we possibly could.”
Winterfest will feature free activities at the following locations: Servus Sports Centre, Bioclean Aquatic Centre, Bud Miller All Seasons Park, Lloydminster Golf and Curling Centre, and the Lloydminster Museum and Archives.
The Servus Sports Centre will offer both indoor and outdoor activities.
“There will be public skating, and in the morning we’ll have indoor shinny with the Lloydminster Bandits, and then in the afternoon it’ll switch to family puck and stick,” said Brown.
“Bounce units for all ages, right from toddlers to adults. And interactive games such as archery, pedal go-karts, a bungee ride, and families can race against each other in the extreme race obstacle course for bragging rights.”
Something new at this year’s event is a giant game area.
“These are giant-sized childhood games, such as operation, Jenga, stacking cups, and a gigantic whack-a-mole, which is a lot of fun to watch!”
The Bioclean Aquatic Centre will feature free public swimming and they’re going to put up their large obstacle course.
“Bud Miller will have colouring in the nature room, a skating party with a DJ, horse-drawn wagon rides, shinny on the ice,” said Brown.
Across town at the Lloydminster Golf and Curling Centre curling club members will be on hand for anyone who wants to try out the sport. They ask that you book a time slot on arrival and bring indoor shoes.
“And we’ll have a craft set up and there will be hot refreshments there as well,” said Brown.
The Lloydminster Museum and Archives will also be a popular choice for fun and learning as they offer free admission, a craft in the art studio, and heritage demos. Last year nearly 1,000 people visited the museum on Family Day.
Brown says all of the options for free family fun wouldn’t be possible without all of the sponsors and volunteers.
“A huge shoutout. We could not do Winterfest without the amazing support of the sponsors. L&A CPA LLP, this is their third year as our presenting sponsor for Winterfest and they’ve been awesome to deal with.”
“We’re so thankful for the support of our volunteers as well, they lend so much to the spirit of this event,” said Brown, adding anyone interested in volunteering is encouraged to contact her at the Servus Sports Centre.
“Winterfest is for everyone—from toddlers, right up to seniors and we encourage everyone to come out.”
Visit Lloydminster.ca/Winterfest for a full activity schedule and list of sponsors.
