Tis the season to enjoy all the fun things that are part of an Alberta Christmas like twinkly Christmas lights, sleigh rides and visits with Santa.
Over the next couple of weekends, a number of communities near Edmonton are hosting Christmas festivals that are sure to get you and your little ones in the Christmas mood.
Morinville Lite Up the Nite Christmas Festival (Nov 26-28, 2010)
Breakfast with Santa, family crafts and activities, parade, craft fair, skate with Santa, Lite up the Nite in St. Jean Baptiste Park and fireworks.
Josephburg Christmas in the Heartland (Nov 27, 2010)
Christmas market, sleigh rides, hundreds of nativity scenes on display, skating, visit with Santa, ice carving and lighting up a 60 ft. Christmas tree.
Devon Christmas in the Park (Nov 27, 2010)
Candle luminary, Christmas lights parade, hay rides, Santa and his reindeer, maple syrup taffy and more.
Redwater Kris Kringle Festival (Dec 4, 2010)
Skate with Santa, sleigh rides, hot chocolate, carolers and a live nativity scene.
Bon Accord Winter Wonderland (Dec 4, 2010)
Pancake breakfast, visit with Santa, crafts, Christmas skate, live entertainment and fireworks show.
Showing posts with label families. Show all posts
Showing posts with label families. Show all posts
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Monday, October 25, 2010
Off-field action at Edmonton Eskimos Games
At this weekend’s Edmonton Eskimos game, I was joined by someone who’d never been to a live football game before. As I was describing what kind of atmosphere to expect at the stadium, I was struck by the number of activities that occur at an Eskimos game. Even if the football game isn’t your thing, there is sure to be something for you to watch.
The crazy antics of the Eskimos’ mascots Punter and Nanook are always entertaining, especially when they are body slamming stuffed animals that represent the other teams’ mascots into the turf. There’s nothing like seeing a stuffed gopher or horse get jumped on. Take that!
Speaking of jumps, you’ll be surprised at the gymnastic and acrobatic skill of the Eskimos Cheer Team, considered to be one of the best squads in North America. It’s not unusual to see one of the guys balance one of the girls on one hand or a couple of guys throw a girl so high in the air she can do multiple flips and twists on the way down. I can’t help but watch in amazement.
The mascots and the Cheer Team encourage the crowd to get involved in special cheers and everyone sings the Eskimos fight song between the third and fourth quarters. There’s also wacky competitions hosted by sponsors, the cheesy sounds of the Pep Band and the mini footballs that get launched into the crowd when the Eskimos score.
Add all of these off-field activities to the action of the football game and you have a winning combination.
The crazy antics of the Eskimos’ mascots Punter and Nanook are always entertaining, especially when they are body slamming stuffed animals that represent the other teams’ mascots into the turf. There’s nothing like seeing a stuffed gopher or horse get jumped on. Take that!
Speaking of jumps, you’ll be surprised at the gymnastic and acrobatic skill of the Eskimos Cheer Team, considered to be one of the best squads in North America. It’s not unusual to see one of the guys balance one of the girls on one hand or a couple of guys throw a girl so high in the air she can do multiple flips and twists on the way down. I can’t help but watch in amazement.
The mascots and the Cheer Team encourage the crowd to get involved in special cheers and everyone sings the Eskimos fight song between the third and fourth quarters. There’s also wacky competitions hosted by sponsors, the cheesy sounds of the Pep Band and the mini footballs that get launched into the crowd when the Eskimos score.
Add all of these off-field activities to the action of the football game and you have a winning combination.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
A-MAZE-ing Sunflowers
Corn mazes are a popular fall attraction, but a maze made of cheery sunflowers offers a delightful alternative.
From the moment you step into the Bowden SunMaze, you can’t help but be happy. Getting lost and turned around on the winding paths seems a lot more fun when surrounded by pretty yellow flowers.
The maze has just the right amount of challenge to keep adults interested while the opportunity to run wild and hide around corners keeps kids entertained.We were a little late to see the maze in its prime (although it was still impressive). The staff suggested that mid to late August is the best time to visit.
In addition to the sunflower maze, there are two corn mazes and other mazes suitable for small children. The kids will also like seeing seeing the pot belly pig, rabbits, donkeys and chickens.
The Bowden SunMaze is Alberta’s only sunflower maze. You can find it west of Bowden, about half an hour south of Red Deer.
From the moment you step into the Bowden SunMaze, you can’t help but be happy. Getting lost and turned around on the winding paths seems a lot more fun when surrounded by pretty yellow flowers.
The maze has just the right amount of challenge to keep adults interested while the opportunity to run wild and hide around corners keeps kids entertained.We were a little late to see the maze in its prime (although it was still impressive). The staff suggested that mid to late August is the best time to visit.
In addition to the sunflower maze, there are two corn mazes and other mazes suitable for small children. The kids will also like seeing seeing the pot belly pig, rabbits, donkeys and chickens.
The Bowden SunMaze is Alberta’s only sunflower maze. You can find it west of Bowden, about half an hour south of Red Deer.
Monday, September 6, 2010
High Flying Fun at Edmonton's Kite Festival
Sailing ships, bi-planes, geometric shapes, owls, geckos, and Tigger … not to mention a 30 foot dragon…vied for airspace over Edmonton on the weekend. The annual Kites over Callingwood Festival filled the sky with kites of all shapes and sizes.
Kids were encouraged to construct and decorate their own kites at the family-friendly event and add them to the colourful chaos in the sky. The festival also featured sport kites – kites that can be masterfully maneuvered to perform graceful ballet or acrobatic dogfights. See the video below.
Kids were encouraged to construct and decorate their own kites at the family-friendly event and add them to the colourful chaos in the sky. The festival also featured sport kites – kites that can be masterfully maneuvered to perform graceful ballet or acrobatic dogfights. See the video below.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Cooking Lessons at Métis Crossing
My friend Kathy and I were jonesing for some bannock so we decided to head out to Métis Crossing near Smoky Lake. For $5, visitors get a guided tour of the site complete with bannock and tea. You can’t beat that!
Our costumed interpreter walked us around the site which includes a nature trail, museum and various types of residences that the Métis people would have lived in over the years, including trappers’ tents and one room houses.
Our costumed interpreter walked us around the site which includes a nature trail, museum and various types of residences that the Métis people would have lived in over the years, including trappers’ tents and one room houses.
Also on site are replica York boats and Red River carts used by the Métis to ship furs. Speaking of furs, the staff let you touch a variety of animal hides including beaver, otter, buffalo and skunk. The skunk is surprisingly soft and beaver isn’t as soft as I expected!
The ingenuity of the Métis people amazed me. In one of the historical houses, I saw a very unusual item (see below). It turned out to be a handmade berry picker. The Métis were also very aware of the medicinal value of plants. For instance, they knew the white powder that coats the trunk of an Aspen tree can be used as sunscreen (SPF 15)!
Similarly, Métis customs intrigued me. They believed that sage placed above a baby’s crib protected the baby from evil spirits and that when a Métis sash was placed on the table there was no arguing permitted.
The highlight of the visit came at the end of the tour when Kathy and I were taught how to cook bannock over a fire on a stick. You wrap the dough around the stick and cook it until it sounds hollow (I was skeptical that bread can sound hollow but it actually works). Once the bannock is cooked, you squeeze jam into the opening created by the stick and savour the warm, sweet treat. Mmm. An enjoyable cooking lesson… with a little history thrown in for good measure.
The highlight of the visit came at the end of the tour when Kathy and I were taught how to cook bannock over a fire on a stick. You wrap the dough around the stick and cook it until it sounds hollow (I was skeptical that bread can sound hollow but it actually works). Once the bannock is cooked, you squeeze jam into the opening created by the stick and savour the warm, sweet treat. Mmm. An enjoyable cooking lesson… with a little history thrown in for good measure.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Jumpin' Jurassic
OK. The dinosaurs at the Jurassic Forest don’t jump, but they sure move and growl. My friend Terry recently visited the 40 acre site located 15 minutes north of Edmonton and here’s what he had to say.
Family Focus
The park is “very family focused with a huge sand pit play area for kids. The play area comes complete with fiberglass eggs and pieces of interlocking bones the size of small children that are light enough for kids to move them around.” Terry also believes that families will enjoy the wooded picnic area.
The Setting
According to Terry, “Two wood-plank routes wind through an untouched old growth forest. Each loop is one kilometre. Throughout the loops are interpretive stations of each of the dinosaurs, as well as informative plaques regarding local flora and fauna.” Everyone can have a close encounter with the dinosaurs because the walkways are wheelchair, motorized scooter and stroller accessible.
The Dinosaurs
Jurassic Forest is home to 40 animatronic dinosaurs. Terry says, “The dinosaurs are motion activated and the movements are very smooth and lifelike – the sound effects are wonderful, especially when the sounds are coming from somewhere out of sight deep in the forest.”
Family Focus
The park is “very family focused with a huge sand pit play area for kids. The play area comes complete with fiberglass eggs and pieces of interlocking bones the size of small children that are light enough for kids to move them around.” Terry also believes that families will enjoy the wooded picnic area.
The Setting
According to Terry, “Two wood-plank routes wind through an untouched old growth forest. Each loop is one kilometre. Throughout the loops are interpretive stations of each of the dinosaurs, as well as informative plaques regarding local flora and fauna.” Everyone can have a close encounter with the dinosaurs because the walkways are wheelchair, motorized scooter and stroller accessible.
The Dinosaurs
Jurassic Forest is home to 40 animatronic dinosaurs. Terry says, “The dinosaurs are motion activated and the movements are very smooth and lifelike – the sound effects are wonderful, especially when the sounds are coming from somewhere out of sight deep in the forest.”
The Last Word
Jurassic Forest is “well worth a return visit” says Terry.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Park It
July 17 is Canada Parks Day and that got me thinking about Alberta’s many parks. Alberta has hundreds of parks and wilderness areas representing diverse landscapes and offering a variety of activities for people to enjoy.
The jaw-dropping scenery in Alberta’s wild spaces is a big attraction. Mountains, foothills, forests, grasslands, and strange rock formations – Alberta has it all. Even sand dunes! On the eastern side of the province is the Wainwright Dunes and in the northeast corner is the Athabasca Dunes Ecological Reserve which is part of the largest active sand dune system in Alberta.
Alberta’s lakes, reservoirs and rivers provide prime water sport opportunities. Wabumun Lake, Cold Lake and Waterton Reservoir are known for sailing and the province’s waterways provide a variety of boating, canoeing and kayaking routes. Many of Alberta’s lakes and rivers have outstanding fishing. Bow Valley Provincial Park has world-renowned trout fishing and the Oldman River and Kootenay Plains Provincial Recreation Areas contain over 30 species of fish. Alberta’s many lakes also mean many beaches. Two of the best are the beach at Sylvan Lake and Devonshire Beach on Lesser Slave Lake where they hold the annual Alberta Open Sandsculpture Championships.
Parks all over the province offer an endless variety of hiking trails. From meandering rivers and prairie that seems to go on forever, to forests that blanket much of the province, to mountain views and waterfalls, Alberta’s trails pass through all kinds of terrain and offer activity levels ranging from easy to more challenging.
Alberta’s parks are also home to an abundance of wildlife. Northern Alberta is known for amazing bird watching opportunities. Of the approximately 330 bird species in Alberta, 224 have been seen in Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park, the threatened Trumpeter Swan can be found in Saskatoon Island Provincial Park and tiny songbirds migrate through the area around Lesser Slave Lake. Parks in the mountains, foothills, and prairies offer the chance to spy larger animals like bears, moose and cougars.
History can also be explored in Alberta’s parks. Writing-On-Stone Provincial Park contains hundreds of Aboriginal pictographs (paintings) and petroglyphs (carvings) and Dinosaur Provincial Park allows visitors to hike to world-famous dinosaur bonebeds and even participate in an authentic fossil dig.
When you want to escape to nature, where do you go? What are your favourite Alberta parks and wilderness areas? What is your favourite activity to do in Alberta’s parks? Let me know by making a comment at the bottom of the post.
The jaw-dropping scenery in Alberta’s wild spaces is a big attraction. Mountains, foothills, forests, grasslands, and strange rock formations – Alberta has it all. Even sand dunes! On the eastern side of the province is the Wainwright Dunes and in the northeast corner is the Athabasca Dunes Ecological Reserve which is part of the largest active sand dune system in Alberta.
Alberta’s lakes, reservoirs and rivers provide prime water sport opportunities. Wabumun Lake, Cold Lake and Waterton Reservoir are known for sailing and the province’s waterways provide a variety of boating, canoeing and kayaking routes. Many of Alberta’s lakes and rivers have outstanding fishing. Bow Valley Provincial Park has world-renowned trout fishing and the Oldman River and Kootenay Plains Provincial Recreation Areas contain over 30 species of fish. Alberta’s many lakes also mean many beaches. Two of the best are the beach at Sylvan Lake and Devonshire Beach on Lesser Slave Lake where they hold the annual Alberta Open Sandsculpture Championships.
Parks all over the province offer an endless variety of hiking trails. From meandering rivers and prairie that seems to go on forever, to forests that blanket much of the province, to mountain views and waterfalls, Alberta’s trails pass through all kinds of terrain and offer activity levels ranging from easy to more challenging.
Alberta’s parks are also home to an abundance of wildlife. Northern Alberta is known for amazing bird watching opportunities. Of the approximately 330 bird species in Alberta, 224 have been seen in Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park, the threatened Trumpeter Swan can be found in Saskatoon Island Provincial Park and tiny songbirds migrate through the area around Lesser Slave Lake. Parks in the mountains, foothills, and prairies offer the chance to spy larger animals like bears, moose and cougars.
History can also be explored in Alberta’s parks. Writing-On-Stone Provincial Park contains hundreds of Aboriginal pictographs (paintings) and petroglyphs (carvings) and Dinosaur Provincial Park allows visitors to hike to world-famous dinosaur bonebeds and even participate in an authentic fossil dig.
When you want to escape to nature, where do you go? What are your favourite Alberta parks and wilderness areas? What is your favourite activity to do in Alberta’s parks? Let me know by making a comment at the bottom of the post.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Take Off to Cold Lake for Maple Flag
If you’ve ever imagined yourself as a fighter pilot, you have to go to Cold Lake during Maple Flag.
Maple Flag is an air combat exercise held annually at 4 Wing Cold Lake Canadian Air Force Base. Air forces from around the world converge at the base to participate in simulated air combat training, reconnaissance and air support operations.
Although Maple Flag is a military exercise, for one day the public is given access to get an up close look at some of the fighter jets and transport planes and talk to the pilots, mechanics and support personnel.
If you’re interested in planes or just want to do something out of the ordinary, take advantage of the opportunity to get up close to military aircraft you wouldn’t normally be able to get anywhere near.
Maple Flag is an air combat exercise held annually at 4 Wing Cold Lake Canadian Air Force Base. Air forces from around the world converge at the base to participate in simulated air combat training, reconnaissance and air support operations.
Although Maple Flag is a military exercise, for one day the public is given access to get an up close look at some of the fighter jets and transport planes and talk to the pilots, mechanics and support personnel.
My friends and I walked through the cavernous interiors of Hercules transport planes from New Zealand and France and marveled at the complexity of the cockpit controls.
We stood beside a 1000 pound bomb as an armament specialist explained the difference between smart and dumb bombs and I got to see AMRAAM and Sidewinder missiles that I’ve previously only heard about in movies or on the news.
By far the coolest part of the day was sitting in the cockpit of a Royal Netherlands Air Force fighter jet. I’ve never seen so many buttons and switches in such a tiny space. It’s also a very tight squeeze getting in and out.
If you’re interested in planes or just want to do something out of the ordinary, take advantage of the opportunity to get up close to military aircraft you wouldn’t normally be able to get anywhere near.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
The Hunt is on for Easter Activities
With Easter on the horizon, I’ve been thinking about activities that families can do to have some fun for Easter. Many major attractions in Alberta have kid-friendly events planned during the Easter weekend.
Calgary
- Munch on Easter Brunch at Heritage Park and participate in a scavenger hunt and traditional Easter egg decorating. Sunday, April 4
- Kids can meet Peter Rabbit, enter the colouring contest and enjoy face painting, crafts and games at Fort Calgary’s Spring Fever. Sunday, April 4
- At the Calgary’s Zoo’s Easter Eggstravaganza, families can enjoy treats of many kinds - entertainment, the Cadbury scavenger hunt and personalized cookie treats. Friday, April 2 and Saturday, April 3
Edmonton
- An afternoon of old-fashioned fun awaits at Rutherford House. Taste cookies baked in the wood-burning stove and find historically-coloured Easter eggs. Sunday, April 4
- At Fort Edmonton Park’s Sweet Treat Hide and Seek, kids can exchange eggs found on the Easter egg hunt for treats. There will also be storytelling, a petting zoo, and a rabbit jumping demonstration. Saturday, April 3
- Grand Prairie’s Muskoseepi Park is the site of an Easter Eggstravaganza with a bunny display, cookie decorating, games, Easter egg hunt and a visit by the Easter Bunny. Saturday, April 3
Lethbridge
- Dye eggs and snap photos with the Easter Bunny at the Galt Museum’s Annual Eggstravaganza. Saturday, April 3
These activities are sure to keep you hopping.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
