What’s not to love about winter, right? Especially when the Town of Newmarket’s annual one-day Winterfest 2020 kicks off Saturday, Feb. 15 at 9 a.m. with pancakes hot off the grill.
The long Family Day weekend fun starts with a variety of free, indoor and outdoor wintry activities that shouldn’t chill you to the bone since it is forecasted to be mainly sunny with a high of -3C this Saturday.
Saturday, Feb. 15
Be sure to dress for the weather to take part in activities such as free skating, learning to curl, or playing sledge hockey (bring your own helmet and gloves).
Over at the ice lounge at Riverwalk Commons, DJ Tyler Stevenson will spin the tunes, while nearby there will be ice sculpting demonstrations, the Tim Hortons Express Train, Snow Valley Mini Tube Slide, and more.
The Newmarket Lions Club is providing the pancake breakfast for a nominal fee, which runs from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Other food and drink options include the Wickedly Sinful food truck, hotdogs and hot chocolate provided by the Newmarket Rotary Club, popcorn and cotton candy by the Corinthian Masonic Lodge, and Comms Coffee & Catering.
If you want to warm up, head indoors to the Newmarket Community Centre and Lions Hall for a friendly game of pickup at the Scotiabank Hockey Zone, visit local vendors, including The Davis (condo development) photo booth and Glama Gal Kids Spa.
Youth-oriented arts and crafts, button-making courtesy of the Newmarket Public Library, and museum activities run by volunteers from the Elman W. Campbell Museum promise fun for all ages.
Also up in the sports zone are activities by the Newmarket Minor Hockey Association, Newmarket Soccer Club, Newmarket Redbirds Lacrosse, and the York Curling Club.
It wouldn’t be a celebration without a pop-up, and residents will have the chance to learn more about the development of the historic Mulock property into a year-round public park at a booth that will be set up inside the Lions Hall.
You can share your vision through creative and interactive activities at the pop-up booth.
To ask questions, share ideas and even stories or memories of the Mulock family and property online, visit here.
The Town of Newmarket’s Winterfest 2020 takes place on Saturday, Feb. 15 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Riverwalk Commons, 200 Doug Duncan Dr.
You can support Newmarket's green initiatives by walking, carpooling or taking the bus.
For up-to-date weather and/or cancellation information for town-run events, call the PLAY Hotline 1-877-PLAY936, on the date of the event, two hours prior to the start time.
Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
For more information and the complete schedule of the day’s activities, visit here.
Sunday, Feb. 16
Activities continue Sunday at the Ray Twinney Recreation Complex, 100 Eagle St. W., with free public skating from noon to 2 p.m. and free public swimming from 2 to 4 p.m.
Monday, Feb. 17 - Family Day
Monday is a statuatory holiday, and the Town of Newmarket is offering a wide variety of recreational activities to get the whole family moving for $2 per person, per activity on Family Day.
The fun takes place at the Magna Centre, 800 Mulock Dr., and at the Recreation Youth Centre & Sk8 Park at 56 Charles St.
Activities include swimming, basketball, badminton, and other family sports and games, a family boot camp, and drop-in activities for youth.
For more information and the complete schedule, visit here.
