COLD LAKE - Cold Lake’s youngest residents rang in the New Year in grand fashion at the Reid Field House in the Cold Lake Energy Centre on Dec. 31.
From 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., the Kids New Year’s Party provided an exciting array of activities, ensuring children and their families could enjoy the holiday in a festive and family-friendly way.
“We have bouncy castles, sparkle tattoos, face painting. We have Kip the court jester who is going to do some magic shows for us,” said Katie Pankhurst, event coordinator.
The afternoon offered something for every young guest.
“I also have laser tag and Colour Chaser, which is new to us, so that's super fun as well,” Pankhurst explained. “All the lights are off . . . and the kids have gloves to do all the fun stuff for laser tag.”
Music played by a DJ kept the energy high, leading up to the highly anticipated balloon drop at 3 p.m., accompanied by a countdown tailored for kids.
“We'll be dropping 600 balloons from the third floor and doing a countdown for the kids, so they get to experience New Year's kind of similar to how we do,” said Pankhurst. “The kids love that one.”
The party wasn’t just about fun, it also aimed to bring the community together during the holiday season.
"Not everybody wants to stay up until midnight,” said Pankhurst. “So, it's just something for the kids so they get to enjoy the same experiences and get to do a countdown and have fun - and bring the community together.”
Priced at $5 per child, the event was both accessible and packed with value, as each child received a goodie bag filled with a New Year’s hat, toys, Play-Doh, and other treats.
Although the event didn’t sell out this year, with approximately 300 tickets sold compared to the usual 400, it remained a popular choice for families seeking wholesome holiday entertainment.
“People love it.”
