Family Day event success for FCSS

By Irene van der Kloet

Family Day is a day to celebrate families. In Smoky Lake, FCSS partnered with the Smoky Lake Ag Society to organize several events in the Ag Complex for families and their children. “We have NYQuest Entertainment from Edmonton here, a deejay that works with the children and engages them in different games. He has been here before, and it was a success, so the Ag Society decided to get him again,” Rachelle Amyotte, FCSS coordinator, says. The kids like deejay Jordan Helm: They only have eyes for him, nothing can distract them, and it seems they are all having so much fun. Musical chairs, dancing, and a parade through the hall were all accompanied by loud music and laughing faces. Jordan keeps the dance floor packed. He gets a break when David Thiel performs his magic show; all the kids are glued to his performance. Some children have taken the opportunity to get their faces painted, which was also offered in the hall. In the skating rink, and also in the Ag Complex, free skating is offered. This Family Day event is entirely funded by FCSS, making it even more attractive in these financially challenging times for everyone, especially families. Everything is free: popcorn and hot chocolate hotdogs for lunch; juice, water, and ice cream for everyone to enjoy, not just the kids. Two jugglers are showing their art, but unfortunately, the kids are more focused on the deejay. Hopefully, these jugglers will return to the next event, for they are good; there is just too much distraction for the kids. Some youth have taken the opportunity to fundraise for the “Fashion Walk.” They are connected with the “Live Different” organization, a Canada-wide organization that builds houses in the Dominican Republic for low-income people. They have already raised $400 and will continue to raise more. Then this summer, they’ll go to the Dominican Republic for ten days to help build houses, get to know the culture, and do good things for humanity. Apart from kids’ activities, this event is also a good opportunity for people in the community – with or without kids – to come together and enjoy each other’s company. FCSS can look back at a successful event for the community.