February 12, 2008

CELEBRATE ONTARIO’S CULTURE ON FAMILY DAY

McGuinty Government Encourages Families To Visit Provincial Attractions

 

TORONTO —Parents looking for activities to enjoy with their kids on Ontario’s first Family Day long weekend will find plenty of fun things to do at cultural attractions across the province.

Family Day festivities at Ontario’s attractions include:

• Gadgets and Gizmos – an Ontario Science Centre workshop that teaches parents and their kids how to make toys out of household objects
• Sunday Smörgåsborg – The Art Gallery of Ontario’s new art class for families launches on Sunday, February 17 and the first session is free. Classes will be held at the Gallery School at 60 McCaul St.
• A 90-foot tall Balloonosaurus dinosaur made out of balloons is just one of the main features of the Royal Ontario Museum’s Family Day Long Weekend.

For more ideas on what to do on Family Day, visit ontariotravel.net

Tourism Toronto is also offering several package deals that include cultural and heritage attractions such as the National Ballet and the Markham Museum. For more information, visit www.torontotourism.com.

“Family Day gives parents an excellent opportunity to get outside with their kids, explore Ontario’s cultural attractions and have some fun together,” said Culture Minister Aileen Carroll. “Communities across the province are planning special events that will make this first February long weekend a memorable one for families.”

Carroll promoted Family Day activities at the Ontario Science Centre where she was joined by popular children’s author Hugh Brewster and the Grade 5 class from Grenoble Public School.

The Ontario Science Centre also announced its participation in the Sun Life Financial Museum and Art Pass program, an initiative that provides families in 24 Toronto neighbourhoods with free passes to visit cultural and art attractions across the city. The program is offered through designated Toronto Public Library branches.

“The Ontario Science Centre is pleased to be part of this innovative program that is raising the profile of arts and cultural institutions in Toronto and making them more accessible to all families,” said Lesley Lewis, the centre’s Chief Executive Officer. “It’s also a great way for more families to take advantage of Family Day festivities taking place at participating attractions.”

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Contacts:

Alicia Johnston, Minister’s Office, (416) 325-1676
Mark Thompson, Communications Branch, (416) 314-3497