Family Day across Windsor

By Lauren O’Brien

Families were able to spend time together this Family Day thanks to a large variety of activities offered by businesses across the city.

Downtown, both Adventure Bay Family Water Park and supervised skating at Charles Park Square offered extended hours.

The Art Lab held a kids open studio, allowing families to drop in and explore art stations. Designed for young artists from the ages of four to 12, children had complete creative freedom with their art.

Emily Awad came to The Art Lab to spend her long weekend together with her children Addy and Elliot.

“I like having a holiday in February and it’s a good time to make time for your family,” said Awad.

The statutory holiday was first introduced to Ontario in 2008 in hopes of giving parents the chance to spend time with their loved ones during the 3 month gap between New Years Eve and Good Friday. Family Day is also celebrated in New Brunswick, Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. On the third Monday in February, there is also Prince Edward Island’s Islanders Day, Manitoba’s Louis Riel Day and Nova Scotia’s Heritage Day.

Janet Drouillard is the mother to two teenagers and two young adults as well as a full time nanny to five children between the ages of three and eight.

She believes Family Day is more relevant now than it would have been if it was introduced earlier, matching the needs of a changing economy.

“As time has gone on and people got busy, we need a two person income to support a family,” said Drouillard. “I don’t think it was as relevant in the past but as it became harder to raise a family, I think there became a need for Family Day.”

In the future, Drouillard said more discounts and free events would allow more families to enjoy the holiday together. She would like to see more shopping discounts, sports and movie nights during Family Day.

While Family Day is a day to celebrate with your children and loved ones, there is nothing stopping you from making every day a family day.

Families were able to spend time together this Family Day thanks to a large variety of activities offered by businesses across the city.

Downtown, both Adventure Bay Family Water Park and supervised skating at Charles Park Square offered extended hours.

The Art Lab held a kids open studio, allowing families to drop in and explore art stations. Designed for young artists from the ages of four to 12, children had complete creative freedom with their art.

Emily Awad came to The Art Lab to spend her long weekend together with her children Addy and Elliot.

“I like having a holiday in February and it’s a good time to make time for your family,” said Awad.

The statutory holiday was first introduced to Ontario in 2008 in hopes of giving parents the chance to spend time with their loved ones during the 3 month gap between New Years Eve and Good Friday. Family Day is also celebrated in New Brunswick, Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. On the third Monday in February, there is also Prince Edward Island’s Islanders Day, Manitoba’s Louis Riel Day and Nova Scotia’s Heritage Day.

Janet Drouillard is the mother to two teenagers and two young adults as well as a full time nanny to five children between the ages of three and eight.

She believes Family Day is more relevant now than it would have been if it was introduced earlier, matching the needs of a changing economy.

“As time has gone on and people got busy, we need a two person income to support a family,” said Drouillard. “I don’t think it was as relevant in the past but as it became harder to raise a family, I think there became a need for Family Day.”

In the future, Drouillard said more discounts and free events would allow more families to enjoy the holiday together. She would like to see more shopping discounts, sports and movie nights during Family Day.

While Family Day is a day to celebrate with your children and loved ones, there is nothing stopping you from making every day a family day.