February 1, 2008 Explore 's cultural and natural heritage this Family Day

Edmonton... Here is a list of special events taking place across Alberta and other information in celebration of Family Day, February 18. Participate in Family History Day at the Provincial Archives The Provincial Archives of Alberta will be hosting the first annual Family History Day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The day will feature genealogy workshops, tours, preservation workshops and children’s activities. All activities are free, but pre-registration is required. For more information, call 780-427-1750. Celebrate the Blackfoot culture at Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump A full day of Family Day activities begin at 10 a.m. at Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump. During the day, Blackfoot legends come to life with a cast of characters in the Napi’s Puppet Theatre. Participate in the ever popular Living Off The Land educational program, sample some delicious Blackfoot delicacies, make a native-themed craft or take a guided tour of the Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump Interpretive Centre. For more information, call 403-553-2731. Discover, explore and create at the Royal Tyrrell Museum With activities for the young and young-at-heart, ’s largest dinosaur museum has something for everyone. Make your very own fossil cast to create an amazing replica of an ancient fossil, complete with details on the fossil’s age and where it was found. Reservations for fossil casting is recommended and the cost is $6 per person, ages 4 and up and $22 per family. Enjoy a free presentation, Dinosaurs in the Movies, that lets participants discover how the portrayal of dinosaurs and our scientific understanding of them have evolved together. Take in a Behind the Scenes Video Tour that lets you in on what happens to all the fossils that are collected by the museum. For more information or to book a fossil casting reservation, call 403-823-7707 or visit www.tyrrellmuseum.com. Enjoy free fishing in Alberta waters on the Family Day weekend Alberta presents the seventh annual Family Day Free Fishing Weekend from Saturday, February 16 through Monday, February 18. Fishing without a sportfishing licence will be allowed in any water body with an open fishing season. Not all Alberta waters have an open season during the holiday weekend. If you plan to fish in a certain lake or stream, make sure to read and follow the regulations for that specific water body. Pick up the 2007 Alberta Guide to Sportfishing Regulations free from a licence issuer, a Fish and Wildlife office or view it online at www.albertaoutdoorsmen.ca/fishingregs.

Please note it is very important to find out about local ice conditions before going onto any ice surface. Although an ice surface may appear to be solid, it can bend and crack with the weight of people and vehicles. Ice can vary in thickness and strength from area to area and ice that looks thick may still be weak. Explore fluid fusion at the Oilsands Discovery Centre Thirsty for knowledge and fun? Discover more about our number one resource – water! Featured events include a black-light theatre show by the Odd-Lot Puppetry Company at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m., hands-on water experiments, and an outdoor scavenger hunt on snow shoes. Help build Alberta’s biggest igloo (weather permitting) and tour the interactive exhibit gallery for more soggy experiments. Admission is free. Food and refreshments will be available for purchase. For more information or to book tickets for the puppetry show, call 780-743-7167. Tour Rutherford House this Family Day Celebrate Family Day with a visit to Rutherford House - home of Alberta’s first Premier and founder of the , Alexander Cameron Rutherford. Step back in time as you play old-fashioned games, sample cookies baked in a wood burning stove, try your hand at a family craft and enjoy the ambience of family time at a traditional pace. You can also take a tour of Rutherford House to learn more about the family that lived here and about family life two generations ago. Admission is free. For more information, call 780-427-3995. Enjoy the Carriage County Fair at Remington Carriage Museum Carnival games and midway-style food highlight this annual Family Day event. This small-town carnival with a big city feel promises to entertain children and adults of all ages. For more information, call 403-653-5139. Explore Alberta and the world at the Discover Alberta’s rich history with half-price admission at the Royal Alberta Museum on Family Day! An array of galleries and special events await to tell the story of Alberta and our world. A new orientation gallery, Tuktu Prayers, features a tribute to ’s centennial. In honour of the park turning 100 and its natural biodiversity, a collection of Caribou-themed artwork has been assembled. The gallery will run from February 2 - March 16. For more information, call 780-453-9100 or visit www.royalalbertamuseum.ca

Are you receiving regular wages on Family Day? This year, Family Day is on Monday, February 18. Under Alberta’s Employment Standards Legislation, if you normally work Mondays and are given Family Day off, then you are entitled to your regular daily wage. To find out more, visit Alberta Employment, Immigration and Industry’s web site at www.employment.alberta.ca/es. -30- Media inquiries may be directed to: Provincial Archives: Jessica King, 780-427-1750 Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump: Quinton Crow Shoe, 403-553-2731 Royal Tyrrell Museum: Lisa Making, 403-823-7707 Free Fishing weekend: Mike Jenkinson, Sustainable Resource Development, 780-427-8636 Oilsands Discovery Centre: Nancy Dodsworth, 780-743-7167 Rutherford House: Alison Campbell/Alison Moir, 780-427-3995 Remington Carriage Museum: Darren Marty, 403-653-5139 Employment Standards: Stephanie Francis, Employment, Immigration and Industry, 780-415-0586 To call toll free within Alberta dial 310-0000. Alberta Government | Ministries Listing | Sustainable Resource Development Home Page | Employment, Immigration and Industry Home Page | Tourism, Parks, Recreation and Culture Home Employment, Immigration and Industry Home Page | Tourism, Parks, Recreation and Culture Home Page | News Releases | Top of Page |

Send us your comments or questions Copyright(©) 2008 Government of Alberta