COLD LAKE - Families flocked to the Reid Field House at the Energy Centre on April 17 for the City of Cold Lake’s annual Easter Party, a free, family-friendly celebration packed with colourful activities and cheerful chaos.
“We have the Easter Bunny here and we have a lot of our ongoing vendors like Dan the Balloon Man, which is always a big hit for us,” said Heather Miller, the City’s Recreation Programs and Services Manager.
Although the event was aimed at kids aged 12 and under, all ages were welcome. Parents, grandparents, and little ones enjoyed a wide variety of Easter-themed entertainment and interactive booths.
“We have face paintings, sparkle tattoos, and we brought in some really cool things through the Joe Show,” Miller said. “So, we've got our arcade shooting, we've got a big cannon, candy blaster in the back, and then our classic bouncers and that kind of stuff.”
The field house was transformed into a wonderland of spring celebration. Miller said the event has become a well-loved Cold Lake tradition.
“I've been here eight or nine years now, and it's been every year since I've been here, so it's been an annual thing,” she said. “Before we open the doors, people are lined up to our front doors, which is insane. We're so excited, it's always a popular event, it's a free event for the community so that's always a great thing.”
Each year, new attractions are introduced to keep the event fresh, while still holding onto fan favourites.
“We keep adding a little bit every year, we're changing it to make it a little bit different but keeping our classics like the Easter bunny and like our face painting,” she explained.
“It just makes us happy because this is what we love to do,” said Miller.
For Miller and her team, the event is more than just a party, it’s a way to give back.
“It's a tough time right now with the economy, and . . . we love doing this event because obviously it's well attended, we get a lot of people out and it's just something that we can do and we love to do.”
