The third annual BC Family Day on Monday, Feb. 9, 2015, will anchor a great winter holiday weekend this year with lots of fun things to do in celebration of British Columbia’s diverse families, Community, Sport and Cultural Development Minister Coralee Oakes said today.

The B.C. government is supporting local BC Family Day events through partnerships with three organizations: BC Recreation and Parks Association, Royal BC Museum and the Vancouver Art Gallery.

The BC Recreation and Parks Association (BCRPA) is a not for profit organization dedicated to building and sustaining active, healthy lifestyles and communities in British Columbia. BCRPA provides grants to municipal and regional district recreation departments and First Nations communities. Grant recipients will host BC Family Day weekend events at various local venues, including community centres, arenas and aquatic centres.

Opportunities for families and citizens include free skating and swimming, giant-sized family board games, arts and crafts, live music, gymnastics and prizes including family-themed activity gift baskets. To see what’s happening in B.C. communities, visit: https://www.bcrpa.bc.ca/

In Victoria, the Royal BC Museum is offering two special BC Family Day mini-stations. The Natural History gallery will present a Beaver Mount station, where families can pose with an incredibly cute beaver for a BC Family Day photo. The Modern History gallery features a studio where families can create their own recording of what “family” means to them. For more information, visit: http://royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/events/family-day-at-the-royal-bc-museum/

At the Vancouver Art Gallery, BC Family Day features a variety of activities, including “The Making Place”, an art program with hands-on workshops. In addition, “Art Agents” will be engaging participants in conversations and activities geared to maximizing art appreciation. The UBC Chinese Ensemble will present “Musical Performances”, inspired by the gallery’s current exhibition “Unscrolled: Reframing Tradition in Chinese Contemporary Art”. For more details, visit: http://www.vancouverartgallery.org/

Quote:

Community, Sport and Cultural Development Minister Coralee Oakes -

“On BC Family Day weekend, British Columbians can set aside some special time to be together with family and friends. There will be lots of great activities available for everyone in communities throughout the province. Have a great BC Family Day. Stay safe and enjoy the holiday.”

For more information about BC Family Day, and to view event listings, visit: http://blog.gov.bc.ca/bcfamilyday/

The B.C. government is providing $300,000 to support local BC Family Day events shared between the BC Recreation and Parks Association ($250,000), Royal BC Museum ($40,000) and the Vancouver Art Gallery ($10,000).

Media Contacts:

Communications
Community, Sport and Cultural Development
250 356-6334