INNISFAIL – For three decades Albertans have seized a special day to honour families.
Hundreds of Innisfail and area residents came out to celebrate Family Day on Feb. 17.
“In 1990 premier Don Getty established Family Day. It was a celebration,” said Kane Williams, recreation program coordinator with the Town of Innisfail. “I think it’s always important to take time for family and there’s nothing like sports, for me anyways, to bring people together,” he added. “It’s so important to Alberta and it’s so important to people.”
Families took part in a variety of free activities at several locations around Innisfail, including curling at the Innisfail Curling Club, a family ski day at the Innisfail Ski Hill, and a public swim at the Innisfail Aquatic Centre. At the Innisfail Arena families enjoyed a fundraising pond hockey tournament, along with a barbecue with hotdogs and hot chocolate, a firepit, hayrides, an indoor public skate and a fire truck display.
Members of the Innisfail Lions Club and the Innisfail Kinsmen Club, along with dozens of volunteers and sponsors, also contributed to the Family Day events.
“It’s no surprise, that if you throw your doors wide open on Family Day for families to come and be a part of what’s going on, you’re going to have a lot of people and you’re going to have a lot of fun,” said Williams. “Whether it’s hockey, whether it’s skating or whether it’s curling. It brings people together.”
That community support and spirit was demonstrated by many in attendance.
Helen Drever of Innisfail joined friends from the Lundgren Centre, while Doug Toepfer of Pine Lake brought his family out for Family Day. The two strangers began chatting about Innisfail's Family Day activities.
“It’s a community event. Everybody’s out here to have a good time,” said Toepfer, noting his family was participating in the pond hockey tournament.
“We met here so that’s fun,” added Drever.
Patricia Ellingson and her family from Innisfail were out enjoying Family Day activities for the first time.
“We just decided to come skating as a family,” said Ellingson.
“It’s just spending time with our family without the busyness of every day,” she added.
Dean Turnquist, chair of The Helping Hand Fund, helped coordinate a fundraising pond hockey tournament.
“It’s a three-on-three tournament and we have eight teams,” said Turnquist, noting all money raised is going directly to the fund.
“We wanted people to come out as a family to enjoy it.”
