Families First Committee
News Release
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The 20th Anniversary of Families First New Year’s Eve Celebration is just around the corner and we are very excited to announce that Families First has partnered with the West Ferris Ringette Association to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the invention of the sport in North Bay by Sam Jacks, former Parks and Recreation Director.
This year’s event will have some of its old favorites as well as many new activities.
The day will kick off at 2:00 pm with a nail biter hockey game between the North Bay Battalion and the Sudbury Wolves.
Tickets are still available but going fast!
At 4:00 pm the YMCA is hosting its FREE family swim.
Following that at 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm there will be a FREE family skate with the North Bay Battalion players.
As well, there will be numerous Ringette activities set up in the lobby of Memorial Gardens, including:
The Ringette Dress-up Challenge - participants go head to head to put on all of the ringette equipment as fast as they can. Participation prizes will be handed out to all participants.
Mascots, Junior Jacks and Samantha Belle, will be wandering the rink throughout the evening.
The Ringette Fun Zone - participants show off their ringette skills in a giant game of Connect – 4, Checkers and a Ring Toss.
Crayola/OTNY/Warrior Design a Mask Colouring Zone is a colouring station where participants design the official 50th Anniversary mask.
The winning mask will be worn by the goalkeeper during the Ringette All-star weekend.
A mask will also be given to the participant who created the winning design.
Tattoo Zone - participants receive temporary Ringette tattoos.
Ringette History Zone – a short video on the history of Ringette will be played alongside a memorabilia display and quiz game.
National Ringette School Hardest Shot - participants shoot rings as hard as they can. The shots are measured by a radar gun to capture the speed.
A prize will be given to the participant with the hardest shot and an ongoing tally of the shot speeds will be kept throughout the entire Road Show with the hardest shot of all winning the national Grand Prize.
At 7:00 pm is the Canada vs. Finland exhibition ringette game which is free to the public.
A huge grand finale fireworks display at 9:15 pm will complete the evening.
The fireworks show will be bigger and better than ever in celebration of the 20th Anniversary of Families First and the 50th Anniversary of the Ontario Ringette Association.
What a great way to kick off the New Year!
Admission is free to all participants but we do encourage everyone to bring a non-perishable food donation for the North Bay Food Bank.
“The entire committee would like to thank all of our sponsors and donors of this event.” “It wouldn’t be possible without you” stated Brian Winkworth, Honorary Chair, Families First Committee.
“We encourage all members of the community and their families to come down and join us in this free family event of fun and entertainment” said Wendy Prieur, Families First Committee Member.
For further information please visit www.cityofnorthbay.ca or call 705-474-0626 ext. 2329.
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