The Town of Turner Valley is ringing in the New Year with some old-fashioned outdoor activities next week.
Skating to music under the stars, riding around town on a horse-drawn wagon, warming up at bonfires and watching fireworks are among the activities for the Town’s annual Family New Year’s Eve Celebration on Dec. 31 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The festivities take place at the Flare ‘n’ Derrick Community Hall, outdoor skating rink and Dr. Lander Memorial Outdoor Swimming Pool parking lot.
“It’s very much an outdoor event,” said Hazel Martin, the Town’s community events coordinator. “For this day and age it’s a good time for people to drop their electronics and come out and enjoy the great outdoors.”
Martin said the New Year’s party was initiated in 2000 as a Town council initiative.
It was resurrected eight years later when the friends of the Turner Valley pool society hosted a similar event.
The following year the Town of Turner Valley took over, hosting a variety of family-friendly activities the last evening of the year.
“It’s a community builder,” said Martin. “We see the value of bringing local businesses in as sponsors and it’s a wintertime event with skating and hay wagon rides. The public can come indoors and have some hot chocolate, a hot dog, some face painting and some treats.”
Martin said the early evening celebration is fitting for the community, considering Turner Valley is known as an outdoor destination year round.
“We are just on the doorstep of Kananaskis with all the activities there, but we also have some really nice things here in Turner Valley like paths and an outdoor rink,” she said.
The popularity of Turner Valley’s Family New Year’s Eve Celebration continues to grow each year, with last year’s event attracting 350 people, said Martin.
“It’s becoming so popular,” she said. “We get a lot of people coming out to skate – moms and dads and even grandparents come out. You will hear people say, ‘I haven’t put my skates on for a number of years.’ This is a good time for them to come and try out the rink.”
The Family New Year’s Eve Celebration is also an opportunity for families, friends and neighbours who haven’t seen each other for a while to get together, said Martin.
“I really enjoy the whole event because there are people that I don’t see on a regular basis so it’s always nice to be at an event like this to have a chance to say ‘Happy New Year,’” she said.
The evening’s festivities end with a fireworks display at 8 p.m.
The Town of Turner Valley requires volunteers to help host the Family New Year’s Eve Celebration. Those interested in helping with such tasks as manning bonfires, cooking hot dogs and serving popcorn and hot chocolate can contact Hazel Martin at the Turner Valley’s municipal office at 403-933-4944.
