The temperature is freezing, the snowbanks are sky high, Christmas is a distant memory, and that can only mean one thing: it’s Family Day again. School will be out and work may be cancelled, but there will be no shortage of ways for families in the townships to while away the frostbitten hours.
Over at the Wellesley Community Centre, the Wellesley Optimist Club’s festivities will begin with a free public skate in the arena 9-11 a.m. (a food bank donation is encouraged). Children’s entertainer Erick Traplin will be on hand 11 a.m. to noon for a performance.
“We’re going to have a real fun, high-energy, interactive family show for the kids,” said Traplin, a mainstay at community events. “When you’re an entertainer, if the audience is having fun, you’re having fun.”
Traplin added, “When you start seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces, and their pure delight and having a good time, it takes you back to your childhood and the feelings you had back then. It’s a joyful experience.”
Traplin will be followed by a hot dog lunch at noon, and a screening of Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs at 1:30.
Meanwhile in Elmira, the Sugar Kings are leading the festivities at the Woolwich Memorial Centre, with an autograph session at 11 a.m. and face painting at 1 p.m. in anticipation of the boys’ 2 p.m. match against the Waterloo Siskins.
The Kings events are part of a new annual initiative called “#selloutsnyder.” “We’re trying to energize the community,” said Kings general manager Paul Jennings. “We’re trying to sell out our home game, and really make it a once-a-year event to get as many families out.”
In addition, free skates at the WMC are scheduled for 9-10:50 a.m. and 12-1:50 p.m., with swimming at 12-1:30 p.m. and 2-3:30 p.m., and shinny at 12:30-1:20 p.m.
