Before there was Canada Day, there was Dominion Day and Heritage Park will honour that tradition with a wide range of activities and entertainment. In what has become a Heritage Park tradition, the first 2013 guests who have paid full admission or come through the gates with their annual pass will receive a free pancake breakfast. After breakfast you can either watch the Dominion Day parade or participate in it by decorating a wagon at home in Canada Day or Dominion Day colours and walk down Main Street with all the other proud participants.

Activities will continue throughout the day until 5 pm, with stock dog and cricket demonstrations, mini chuckwagon races, and a special Musical Ride from the Strathcona Mounted Troop, which will feature 20 soldiers dressed in period uniforms and mounted on horseback. Guests are also invited to compete old-fashioned family games like potato sack and three-legged races and eat a piece of birthday cake. Naturally the antique midway and other attractions in the historical village will all be in full swing for you to take in and enjoy.

As for celebrating Canada’s future, the day will also feature an citizenship ceremony, so please dress in red and white to welcome all of the newcomers celebrating their first July 1 as official Canadian citizens!

To help you celebrate, Family Fun Calgary is giving away a Heritage Park Canada Day prize pack that will include a family four-pack of tickets to the park on Canada Day, a Heritage Park plush toy, a miniature gas pump, a vintage cookbook, a domino set, and more! Enter now to win!
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Canada Day at Heritage Park Details:

When: July 1, 2013
Time: 9:30 am-5 pm
Where: Heritage Park Historical Village
Address: 1900 Heritage Drive SW, Calgary AB
Website: www.heritagepark.ca

Although we do our best to provide you with accurate information, all event details are subject to change. Please contact the facility to avoid disappointment.

If a great day out with Dad has to involve vehicles of some kind, the Aero Space Museum has the perfect Father’s Day outing for you! The event will give your family a chance to check out some of the Aero Space Museum’s most beautiful aircraft, as well as some classic cars from local car clubs and individuals that will pull in for a show and shine. The day will also feature face painting, wooden aircraft building, a penny round-up, and helicopter tours. Plus, you can give Dad the perfect Father’s Day gift by giving him a chance to get his picture taken inside of an iconic aircraft and getting a commemorative Hero Shot photo.

If you’ve never been to the Aero Space Museum of Calgary, this is the day to do it! The museum will be open from 10am-4pm for you to come and celebrate dad! You can pre-purchase tickets at the Aero Space Museum website or buy them at the door.

Father’s Day Wings and Wheels Show and Shine Details:

When: June 16, 2013
Time: 10am-4pm
Where: Aero Space Museum of Calgary
Address:4629 McCall Way NE, Calgary AB
Phone: 403-250-3752
Website: www.asmac.ab.ca

Although we do our best to provide you with accurate information, all event details are subject to change. Please contact the facility to avoid disappointment.

Campers Village is sending out an invitation for families to come aboard for summer adventure! It’s that time of year where families in Alberta are ready to get outside and enjoy the natural beauty that our province has to offer. The folks at Campers Village know that families are on the lookout for fun ways to spend some time outdoors together, so they’ve put together a series of Edustation programs to help you connect with nature. Each program focuses on a different aspect of outdoor fun. Choose the program that best meets your family’s needs, or sign up for all three!

The Kayak 101 Edustation is for both novice and avid kayakers who want to prepare for their next paddling adventure! Learn trick and tips to make your next kayak trip smoother and more fun. You’ll learn about how to choose the right kayak for you, how to pack it, and how to ensure that you take necessary safety precautions on your kayaking trips. The session runs from 7 pm to 9 pm on May 14.

The Escape Outside Edustation will give you all the info you need to plan a great camping trip this summer. Whether you’re looking to try out back country camping, family camping, or a RV trip, this session will help you to choose the right campsite, pack the gear you need, cook outdoors, and stay safe on your outdoor adventure. The Escape Outside session takes place on June 1 from 11 am to 4 pm.

Finally, plan out your entire summer with the Summer Adventure Bucket List Edustation. This session will help you figure out what kind of activities best suit your family’s interest and how to pack them all into your summer season. Tourism Canmore Kananaskis will help you sort through this year’s must-do activities for summer and author Lisa Anderson will give tips on how to fit all of the action into your busy lives. The session is on June 2 from 12 pm to 4 pm.

Register for the Edustations at the Campers Village website, where you can also find info on some great prize giveaways connected to the sessions. Also be sure to like Campers Village on Facebook and follow them on Twitter to keep up with all of their latest news!

All Aboard For Summer Adventure with Campers Village Details:

When: May 14 (Kayak), June 1 (Escape), and June 2, 2013 (Summer Adventure)
Where: Campers Village
Address: 7208 Macleod Trail SE, Calgary AB
Website: www.campers-village.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/CampersVillage
Twitter: www.twitter.com/CVOutdoorStore

Although we do our best to provide you with accurate information, all event details are subject to change. Please contact the facility to avoid disappointment.

Can you believe how quickly May blew by? It’s the first weekend in June, so it’s time to get out there and do something fun! Here are our top picks for fun things to do in Calgary this weekend:

It’s asparagus season! Celebrate one of our favourite green vegetables at the Edgar Farms Asparagus Festival on Saturday and Sunday.

Campers Village is hosting two Edustations to get you ready for a summer of outdoor fun! Check out the Escape Outside Edustation on Saturday and the Summer Adventure Bucket List Edustation on Sunday.

Warm weather means it’s time to get out there on your bike! The annual MEC Bikefest is taking place on Saturday at the Eau Claire Plaza.

Saturday is your last chance to catch the UCalgary Operetta Company’s production of Suessical the Musical. There will be two shows on June 1 at 2 pm and 7 pm, as well as a 7 pm show on Friday night.

Theatre Calgary’s Anne of Green Gables also finishes it’s run this weekend. The musical version of the classic Canadian story will have its last performance on Sunday.

Family Fun Calgary is giving away a Canada Day prize pack courtesy of Heritage Park. Enter now to win a family four-pack of tickets to the park on Canada Day, a Heritage Park plush toy, a miniature gas pump, a vintage cookbook, a domino set, and more!

Although we do our best to provide you with accurate information, all event details are subject to change. Please contact the facility to avoid disappointment.

Taking your kids to Beaners Fun Cuts makes getting your kids hair cut anything but a chore, where kids will have such a great time that they’ll be too busy to complain about sitting for a cut. Kids get to sit on fun salon chairs shaped like animals or cool vehicles, and watch age appropriate movies (or even play video games) while kid-friendly stylists cut their hair. Either go for a simple high-quality haircut or opt for a special package with quick curls, beaded braids, or sparkles for girls, or coloured spiker gel for boys. Beaners also does ear piercing, perms, hi-lights, and even birthday parties!

With a ball room for post haircut play, colourful decor, and friendly staff, Beaners makes kids actually look forward to their next haircut. The salons are also a great place to load up on hair products, accessories and unique toys. To give you a taste of the cool merchandise that Beaners stocks, Family Fun Calgary is giving away a Beaners Fun Cuts Summer Fun Gift Basket. This basket of goodies includes Beaners own 1 More Lap Swimmer’s shampoo, 2 Knotty detangling spray, 2 Twisted conditioner, a variety of toys customized for the winner, Original Sprout Detangler and Scrumptious Baby Cream, Blue Spiker Gel, Green Temp Hair Color and a $50 Beaners gift card. Enter using the form below to win.

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Beaners Fun Cuts Details:

Calgary Locations: Country Hills, Northland, Southland, West Springs
Website: www.beanersfuncuts.com

Although we do our best to provide you with accurate information, all event details are subject to change. Please contact the facility to avoid disappointment.

The Bow Habitat Station’s Trout Pond is now open for you to fish in! This pond is stocked with trout raised in the fish hatchery for you to catch and release. Please note that bait is not allowed and barbless hooks are required. You can rent rods inside the Bow Habitat Discovery Centre for only $5 each. The Pond’s fishing season runs from May 15 to October 31.

Bow Habitat Station Trout Pond Details:

When: Open from May 15 to October 31, 2013
Where: Bow Habitat Station
Address: 1440-17A Street SE, Calgary AB
Website: http://srd.alberta.ca

Although we do our best to provide you with accurate information, all event details are subject to change. Please contact the facility to avoid disappointment.

Even if you don’t run as fast as a super hero, the Remington Race for Pace is your opportunity to be a hero to kids with motor disabilities. The annual walk and run raises funds and awareness for Pacekids Programs, a local charitable organization that family orientated, therapeutic, and active learning programs tailored for infants, children and youth with special needs, and their families. The Race was started in 2008 by local runner Shelly McInnis, who wanted to do something to positively impact her daughter Darcie, who lives with the challenges that come with Cerebral Palsy.

While helping out the Pacekids Programs is the main focus, Race for Pace is also about having fun and promoting exercise and healthy living. If you’re up for it, you can choose to run or walk in the 5K or 10K races, and younger or more casual participants can take part in the 1K Superhero Parade fun run. The parade is your family’s chance to dress up like superheroes and enjoy some time together outside, all while supporting Pacekids!

Registration for the race closes on June 21. Sign up as an individual or a family at the Race for Pace website.

Race for Pace Details:

When: June 22, 2013
Time: Superhero Parade at 9:30 am; 5K and 10 K races at 10 pm
Where: Quarry Park, Calgary AB
Website: www.raceforpace.ca

Although we do our best to provide you with accurate information, all event details are subject to change. Please contact the facility to avoid disappointment.

Photo Credit: Travel Alberta

As one of our city’s most beloved attractions, Heritage Park offers families a unique blend of entertainment and education as they step back into Western Canada’s pioneer days. With antique midway rides, great shops and restaurants, the iconic train, farm animals, the authentic Historical Village, Gasoline Alley Museum, and special events taking place throughout the season, it takes much more than a single day to fully appreciate everything that Heritage Park has to offer. So why not make Heritage Park your family’s go-to attraction this year by taking advantage of a Family Annual Pass?

Heritage Park Annual Passes offer great value and give your family the opportunity to just drop by the park whenever you’re looking for some time out. There are lots of Annual Pass options to suit your needs, whether you’re looking for passes with our without ride access, individual passes, additional flex passes, or the very popular Family Pass.

Photo Credit: Government of Alberta

Family Passes are valid for ANY two named adults and up to four children and are priced at just $121.39 plus GST for a regular pass or $159.99 plus GST if you want to include rides. If you go for the ride package, you’ll have free access to the Steam Train, SS Moyie, Wagon Rides and Midway Rides all season long. Please note that Family Passes are non-transferable and non-refundable.

Passes pay for themselves in less than three visits and give you access to the Historical Village during the summer, the Once Upon A Christmas event during winter and the world-class Gasoline Alley Museum year-round. To purchase an annual pass, call 403-268-8500 or visit Heritage Park Reception. For more information visit the Heritage Park website. Don’t forget that the Heritage Park Historical Village opens for the 2013 season on May 18!

Photo Credit: Travel Alberta

Enter to Win!

Heritage Park is giving one lucky Family Fun Calgary reader an annual Family Pass to Heritage Park to enjoy all year long! To enter, fill out of the contest entry form below. Please be patient, it sometimes takes a moment to load.

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Heritage Park Annual Passes Details:

Address: 1900 Heritage Drive SW, Calgary AB
Phone: 403-268-8500
Website: www.heritagepark.ca

Although we do our best to provide you with accurate information, all event details are subject to change. Please contact the facility to avoid disappointment.

We all know that our families change and grow so rapidly that documenting all of the special moments can be challenging. Photographer Kelly MacDonald specializes in capturing families in their most natural moments. Kelly, who has run her own photography business in Ontario for five years and recently moved to Calgary, is ready to explore her new home and help local families create portraits that they’ll treasure as the kids grow up.

“When photographing my clients, I look to the images of my own kids that mean the most to me,” Kelly says. “I love just spending time with families, seeing how they interact… the simple glances kids give their parents, what makes them laugh, what makes them special and then capturing that. When I present the images to the family afterwards they tell a story, a story unique to that family.”

Kelly’s gorgeous photos capture all of the little things that make a family special and magical. It’s not about the props, fancy clothes, or location — it’s about the happiness that shines through people who love each other. Kelly’s knack for finding the beauty in the everyday things you do with your family, be it going out for ice cream, or even just sitting at the breakfast table enjoying the morning together, is what makes her work so unique. Decades from now, it will be the real life moments that matter, and these photos will keep those memories alive.

Check out Kelly’s blog for more examples of her work.

Enter to Win:

We’re giving away a full “life session” (a 1.5 to 2.5 hour session at a location of your choice with 30-35 edited and enhanced images in a private, online gallery) plus a full digital file package which includes all edited images on a custom USB stick along with one 5×7 print of each image… a $1,220 value! To enter to win, fill out the contest entry below. Please be patient, it sometimes takes a moment to load/

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Kelly’s Details:

Phone: 587-352-8152
Email: info@kellytakesphotos.com
Website: www.kellytakesphotos.com
Blog: www.kellytakesphotos.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/KellyMacDonaldPhoto
Twitter: @KellyTakesPhoto

Although we do our best to provide you with accurate information, all event details are subject to change. Please contact the facility to avoid disappointment.

My Gym, the premier fitness centre for kids, is opening its first location in Calgary on May 16! To celebrate, My Gym is holding a 10 day open house for patrons to learn about how the facility works, as well as some great deals on tuition!

The gang at My Gym are experts when it comes to children’s fitness, and have been operating for 30 years with centres located in over 30 countries. The gym and its extensively-trained staff offer amazing programs to help kids from six months to 13 years of age develop physically, cognitively and emotionally. The Calgary location will offer structured, age-appropriate, weekly classes that incorporate music, dance, relays, games, special rides, gymnastics, sports and more. The award-winning programs will help your children develop skills that will built fitness and self-esteem, while giving them the chance to also interact with other kids and have a whole lot of fun.

Although we do our best to provide you with accurate information, all event details are subject to change. Please contact the facility to avoid disappointment.