The countdown at the Winkler Family Resource Centre’s Family New Year’s Eve Party may take place a few hours earlier than others, but it’s no less exciting for the kids taking part.
The centre invites families down to its space at 750 15th St. Dec. 31 from 5-7:30 p.m. to ring in 2026 in style.
“We’ll have both a princess and a superhero from A Country Princess out. We’re very excited about that. They’re usually a big hit,” shares executive director Monica Dueck. “And then throughout the evening we’ll have music, we have someone coming to do balloon animals, and we’ll have different activity stations set up for kids to have fun with—crafts and some cookie decorating, snowman bowling, and hopefully face painting as well.
“We’ll also have snacks available for people to have. We’ve got Valley Bakery supplying some of our snacks, so we’re very thankful for that. And then we’ll have Domino’s Pizza available for purchase, and drinks.”
There will also be door prizes courtesy of Other Brother Roasters, Meridian Industries, and Janzen’s Paint and Decorating.
“We’re going to have grown-up door prizes for the adults and then a few for the kids as well,” Dueck says, noting that even if you don’t win one of the prizes, everyone will go home with a goodie bag full of treats and activities.
“It’s going to be a fun, casual environment for families to hang out, have something to eat, do some fun activities with their kids, and then at 7:30 we’ll do a balloon drop and a New Year’s Eve countdown so the kids can participate without having to stay up to midnight.”
While WFRC’s programs generally target the pre-school age group, Dueck notes this bash is for families with older kids as well.
“Everyone’s welcome. We’ve got activities for, I would say for sure up to 12 or 13 years old, depending, so don’t feel that you can only come if you’ve got pre-schoolers. We’ve got stuff that kids of all ages will enjoy.”
This event is made possible every year thanks to the generous local businesses who support it. Including the aforementioned ones, Jim M. Smith Chartered Professional Accountants are also a major sponsor of this year’s party.
Admission is $10 per person (regardless of age). Pre-registration is required by Dec. 19 online at wfrc.ca.
