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Wellington welcomed families for a day of fun

Bailey Stewart, 7½, Locklin Stewart, 10 and Ethan Storey, 9, were thrilled to pose for a photograph with Wellington Dukes hockey players.

Story and photos by Sharon Harrison
A packed and bustling Wellington and District Community Centre saw a full day of free and fun activities on Family Day holiday Monday.
Building on a successful event last year, the focus this year was to create multiple experiences for families.

Events ranging from free skating, a scavenger hunt with clues around the village, fire prevention activities and a family boot camp filled the entire day.

Deaken Insley, 7, from Picton, suits up in firefighter gear.

Children were invited to try on pint-sized fire gear courtesy of the Prince Edward County Fire and Rescue volunteers and to see up-close some of the equipment used in fire fighting. Sparky The Fire dog mascot also playfully joined in the fun.

The sun shone over the mild February day and rain showers held off until the afternoon for family members of all ages.

Players from the Ontario Junior Hockey League’s Wellington Dukes were on hand in the morning, happy to pose for photographs with local fans. Signed team photos were handed out to many grateful and excited young fans.

With a beaming smile, Locklin Stewart, 10, Ethan Storey, 9, and Bailey Stewart, 7½, travelled from Belleville to enjoy the day’s activities and were thrilled with each getting signed Dukes photos. With a grin on his face, and barely able to contain his excitement, Ethan said, “It’s really exciting”.

For those preferring to tame a fire-breathing dragon, the Wellington Lions Club mascot obliged as little ones took the brave step of posing beside the inflatable creature.

Hunter Roppel, 10, enjoyed time at the craft table.

Games and engaging activities filled Highline Hall with crafts, board games, colouring, felt, glitter and more.

Kristie Istead and Tryn Istead, 10, figure out the best way to twist pipe cleaners for their craft.

The only element of the day with an associated cost was the pancake breakfast held in the Highline Hall. Hot pancakes drizzled in County maple syrup started off the day at 8am with funds collected from the $7 per plate going to support the Wellington Heritage Museum.

Funds raised will go toward a new community heritage garden situated behind the museum to be completed this spring. The project has been many years in the thinking with many fundraising activities as well as donations from local service organizations and private individuals.

Bev Thompson, of Friends of Wellington Heritage Museum, said they were grateful to be getting volunteer help from experienced gardener Ben O’Brien to complete the final phase of the project which will include heritage plantings and benches with turn-of-the-century patterns.

“The garden is partly installed with walkways and trees with phase two proceeding in the spring with plantings,” said Cheryl Douglas also a Friends of Wellington Heritage Museum volunteer.

Douglas said a sculpture will be the focus of the garden.

“It’s a beautiful venue and we will have an area for talks and entertainment. The space is intended to be a quiet refuge, a place of quiet contemplation,” she said, adding the Friends are excited to unveil the project.

Free soup on the menu for lunch at the Highline Hall

The warming bowls were served up, free of charge in the Highline Hall.

Sometimes, there is such a thing as a free lunch. Participating restaurants, chefs and organizations supplied 13 different kinds of hot steaming soup over the lunch hour. The warming bowls were served up, free of charge in the Highline Hall.

The day’s events were spread throughout the village of Wellington and incorporated the Millennium Trail and the downtown area. Skating and skills also took place at the outdoor ice rink downtown Wellington.

Family Day in Ontario is observed on the third Monday each February and celebrates the importance of families, family life and community. The date was chosen because it falls roughly between Christmas and Easter holidays and helps bridge the long winter gap.

Several County wineries and restaurants also got on board with separate Family Day events, and along with a couple of winter carnivals, the theme and the enjoyment were extended to almost every corner of the County throughout the entire weekend.

 

Skating was also a popular event throughout the day.

 

 

Filed Under: Featured ArticlesSports & Recreation

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