DISCOVER ONTARIO ON FAMILY DAY

McGuinty Government Encourages Families to Explore Their Province

 

 

NEWS - Ontario attractions play an important role in the province’s economic and social prosperity. With a variety of special programs and events being held across the province, the McGuinty government is encouraging families to rediscover Ontario this Family Day weekend.

 

Family Day festivities include:

 

• Winterlude, Ottawa: Be dazzled by the Ottawa annual winter celebration’s new sound and light show called “Ukiuk”.
• Voyageur Winter Carnival, Thunder Bay: Have fun at the Fort William Historical Park carnival, which includes sleigh and dog sled rides, snow sculpting and pond hockey.
• Science North, Sudbury:  Enjoy a full day of activities including an astronomy workshop, a chance to try your skills on a Nintendo Wii game and hourly Parents vs. Kids Super Speedway Races.
• Fort Henry, Kingston:  Take part in the Fort’s Cardboard Sled Derby. Admission is free and prizes will be awarded for the fastest, most creative and most colourfully designed sleds.
• Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto: Take advantage of the AGO’s great value family pass on Saturday and Sunday and explore “Off the Wall,” a hands-on activity centre for children and families that promotes creativity.
• Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto: Explore the ROM’s new Tech Suite of Galleries: Earth’s Treasures that include one of the world’s greatest private gem collections.
• Royal Botanical Gardens, Burlington: Check out “Backyard Monsters,” an exhibit of world bugs that includes six giant animatronic bugs and an amazing collection of exotic insects and invertebrates.
• Central Library, Windsor: Join ROCK N’ READ’s story time, including music and crafts.
• Ontario Science Centre, Toronto: Use your imagination and discover basic building principles while you try your hand at building structures in the Science Centre’s K’NEX Build-Zone.

 

QUOTES

 

"Cultural attractions are an important economic driver in this province and contribute significantly to the creation of vibrant communities. Family Day offers a great opportunity to spend time with family and friends and experience the incredible offerings of Ontario's cultural attractions," said Culture Minister Aileen Carroll.

 

"Festivals and events invigorate local economies,” said the Honourable Monique Smith, Minister of Tourism. “Ontario attractions offer plenty of choices for families to be together, experience something new, and have fun on Family Day. I encourage families to explore Ontario and to enjoy all the exciting attractions this province has to offer.”

 

QUICK FACTS

 

• On October 12, 2007 Ontario added a new provincial public holiday on the third Monday in February called Family Day.
• Adding Family Day to the calendar gives Ontario workers and families a total of nine statutory holidays per year, putting the province on par with Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia.

 

 

LEARN MORE

 

For more ideas on what to do on Family Day, visit www.ontariotravel.net.

 

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Contacts:
Lisa DiLollo, Minister’s Office, 416-325-4543

Sarah Petrevan, Culture Minister’s Office, (416) 325-1676
Jane Greer, Communications Branch, (416) 325-8391