Pond hockey, penguin dips, and Dutch food — what more could one ask for on Family Day?

On Monday, events in Blackfalds, Sylvan Lake and Red Deer will celebrate the annual statutory holiday in seasonal flair.

Sue Penner of the Town of Blackfalds described the penguin dip, their version of a polar bear swim, as taking place in a big mound of snow, with the top scooped out and a pond-liner added.

“We have a lot of people come out, but sometimes we struggle for the dippers . . . ,” said Penner, community development co-ordinator.

One community that doesn’t have a problem finding people eager to soak themselves in obscenely cold water is Sylvan Lake.

Their Winterfest, set to run on Saturday, has a polar bear dip that’s already full up.

Instead of a pile of snow, their dip takes place in the lake itself, courtesy of a firefighter-cut hole in the ice.

“Winterfest is a unique event because the community comes together to put it on,” said Sylvan Lake recreation manager assistant Sonia Munksgaard, explaining that polar bear dip participants also raise money for local organizations like the youth centre. One such community member is Scott McDermott of Best Body Fitness, which hosts “human curling” as part of Winterfest.

“It’s gobs of fun,” said McDermott, explaining how participants often don “ridiculous” team costumes like the “Real Desperate Housewives” and throw themselves over the ice on inner tubes for a toilet-plunger-and-teddy-bear trophy.

Besides the dip and human curling, festival-goers at Sylvan Lake can enjoy sleigh rides, a cardboard box sled challenge and a hockey game pitting the Sylvan Lake Fire Department against the RCMP.

Other events at the Blackfalds Winterfest, in its third year and at a new venue at All-Star Park, include snow rafting and a Loonie Dig for kids, a four-on-four pond hockey challenge and a fireworks display.

For more information on times and dates, visit the Town of Sylvan Lake website at www.town.sylvan-lake.ab.ca or the Town of Blackfalds at www.blackfalds.com.

mgauk@reddeeradvocate.com

OTHER FAMILY DAY EVENTS:

l The Sylvan Lake Ice Marathon takes place by Lakeshore Drive on Monday. The excitement starts at 10 a.m. with a 50-kilometre race and a 25-kilometre youth race and an open-ended tour at noon. A shorter track this year will let spectators take in more of the action. A “Dutch village” will keep the tummy full with tasty treats from Holland.

l The Riverside Meadows Community Association is holding a Family Fun Day on Monday from 1:30-3:30 p.m. It will feature hay rides, face-painting, a fish pond and free refreshments for Riverside Meadows and Fairview residents.

l The newly renovated Red Deer Museum + Art Gallery’s grand opening takes place on Monday from 1-4 p.m. Local musicians will be playing “musical chairs” among art activities, games and refreshments.

A duo known as “The Chairmen” will give a performance about a plain white plastic chair, and the theme continues with the exhibition of The Robotic Chair. The event is free and open to the public.