Fun festivities for Family Day

Image of Shawna O'Neill
By Shawna O'Neill
Fun festivities for Family Day
Mmm, Arthur Filion enjoying some taffy!

SUMMERSTOWN, Ontario – Over 500 individuals took to the trails of Summerstown Forest this Family Day on Monday, Feb. 17, enjoying the sunshine and each others’ company.

Jean-Pierre Tibi, Summerstown Forest Secretary, was speechless about the grand turnout at the 10th annual event.

“It’s our biggest turnout yet,” he said. “We ran out of our 25 dozen hot dogs at 1:30 p.m.”

Free activities at the trails, including fat biking, skiing and snowshoeing, were available between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Free hot dogs, hot chocolate and cookies were also available, and maple syrup taffy was available for purchase from a local producer.

“It’s a real treat for everyone,” said long-time Volunteer Mary Lou Leroux.

Leroux added that Henderson’s Grocer of Lancaster and Cardinal Meats were gracious sponsors for the event.

“The trails run off of donations and support from the community members,” said Leroux.

“We really promote families playing together and staying together so this is a big day for us at the trails,” she added.

“I mean, six or seven years ago it was -18 Celsius and still about 100 came out. But today is just incredible. In just volunteers we have 40 people,” said Tibi. “Some families only come once a year…they should come more often. They have a lot of fun, lots of people talking and eating, there’s a nice fire going…”

Other Family Day winter activities were celebrated throughout our region, including a free public skating event in Long Sault from 5 p.m. to 5:50 p.m.

Share this article