COCHRANE—The Cochrane and Area Events Society is planning the second annual New Years' Eve Family Celebration and has released a number of recommendations for families and residents to take part in while observing the current public health measures.
While the Society cannot hold an organized gathering due to COVID-19 restrictions, it is promoting a plethora of outdoor and indoor activities residents can take part in to celebrate the end of 2020.
Erika Richards, vide-chairperson of the Cochrane and Area Events Society said in an email that it is important to host a fun and safe event given the difficult year that Cochranites have faced.
“Although this is going to be the most challenging event we have planned this year, it's important to me and our committee that we finish out the year the way we started— To hold all our scheduled events. So many events and festivals have had to be cancelled so it has been very important to us to get creative and still be able to bring something to cheer the community,” she said.
She added the Cochrane and Area Events Society is already planning on continuing into the new year, bringing virtual and online events to the people of Cochrane.
The Cochrane and Area Events Society is encouraging everyone taking part in the festivities to take photos and share them on the Society’s Facebook page.
Members of the Cochrane and Area Events Society will be making their way around town, greeting participants and handing out prizes to those joining in on the holiday fun.
The Cochrane and Area Events Society has partnered with Tim Hortons to provide families with complimentary hot chocolate, the logistics of which will be announced soon.
If you are stuck indoors on New Year's Eve, the Society is encouraging families to share their New Year's Eve activities on the Events Society Facebook page. Participants will have the chance to win a random prize drawn from posts.
Posts included in the prize draw are the boardgame challenge, most creative New Year’s Eve meal/snacks, favourite holiday traditions, best memories from 2020, resolutions for 2021 and best craft noise makers, or new year's hat.
The Events Society has provided a fun list of activities for New Year's Eve celebrations that serve as a safe way to bring the family together.
Activities include:
- Sledding in Bow Ridge or smaller hills in other areas— Try decorating your sled
- Skating at Mitford— Dressed in a costume for bonus fun
- Take a walk-through Cochrane's many parks and trail systems
- Disc Golf
- Fat tire biking
- Going for hot chocolate
- Climb the stairs to the Men of Vision statue and yell “Happy New Year”
- Whisper a wish/resolution on a rock and throw it in the river
- Backyard fire/family picture
- Drive around town looking at the Christmas lights
- Cross country skiing on the golf course
- Build a snowman
- Make snow angels, take pictures and try to get the dog to make one too
For more information, keep an eye on the Cochrane and Area Events Society Facebook page.
