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Get set for Family Day fun in New Westminster

Save the Date: Feb. 18
Family Day
Family Day fun is taking place at venues across the Royal City on Monday, Feb. 17.

What’s happening?

The City of New Westminster is celebrating Family Day 2019 by hosting a variety of events throughout the city on Monday, Feb. 18. For the first time since it was launched in 2012, Family Day in B.C. moves from the second to the third Monday in February so it’s in sync with the statutory holiday in other provinces.

Is anything happening at Anvil Centre?

Anvil Centre is once again serving up oodles of Family Day fun. The Family Fun Zone includes free entertainment and activities including: Science World on the Road; Nintendo games; magician Peter Rooke; face painting; a photo booth; crafts, clowns, balloons and other activities. It’s all taking place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 777 Columbia St.

What about River Market?

River Market is also back with a day of activities including face painting by the 1st Burnaby Lakes Pathfinders, a performance by the Vancouver Circus School, balloon animals by Korki the Clown, Arts to Go by the Arts Council of New Westminster, board games, table hockey and vendors. The activities take place at 810 Quayside Dr. from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Are there other places to celebrate?

You betcha. The city is offering free activities and events at venues around the city. You can find a “road map” showing all of the offerings on the city’s website but here are some of the places you’ll want to check out:

* Queensborough Community Centre is offering a morning of family-friendly activities (9:30 to 11:30 a.m.) including a bouncy castle, indoor playland and crafts. The Queensborough library will have a crafts table and storytime activities from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

* Centennial Community Centre is giving folks a chance to attend various fitness classes for free in the morning, a free family drop-in with crafts, games, storytime, refreshments and a child-minding service. You can also enjoy Baby ‘N’ Art from 10 to 11:30 a.m., when you can use your baby’s feet, toes, hands etc. to create a keepsake that captures your baby on canvas.

* Samson V Museum is opening from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. so you can tour the steam-powered sternwheeler, try some knot-tying, learn about the parts of the ship through a scavenger hunt, make some arts and crafts and learn about maritime symbols in heraldic crests from the Royal Heraldry Society of Canada. It’s at 880 Quayside Dr. on the waterfront.

* Hyack Square is providing space where the engineering operations department will have an automated garbage truck on display, so parents and kids can try lifting a garbage cart.

* Greenhouse in Queen’s Park is opening its doors so people can tour the greenhouse and create a spring flower planter to take home.

* Moody Park Arena is holding free public skates from 12:30 to 3 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Skate rentals are also free today. The arena is at 701 Eighth Ave.

* Canada Games Pool is having a free public swim/fitness centre from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. An extended public swim will run until 8:30 p.m., but regular admission applies after 3:30 p.m. Canada Games Pool is at 65 East Sixth Ave.

 * The New Westminster Youth Centre is inviting folks of all ages to drop in and enjoy crafts, cookies and a cookout. Normally open to 13 to 18 year olds, everyone will have a chance to enjoy the youth centre’s regular offerings, an open gym, the learn-to-DJ area, a Polaroid photo booth and more. It’s in Moody Park at 620 Eighth St.

More details please:

You can find the brochure with details about all of the events and times on the city’s website at www.newwestcity.ca.