Goderich Signal Star, 2017-03-01, Page 1414 Signal Star • Wednesday, March 1, 2017
Families flock to Huron County Museum for Family Day
It Friends of the Museum volunteers
stage a free day of activities at
the museum for area families
Dave Sykes
Special to the Signal Star
Jeremy Marsh of Goderich
beat his dad, Simon, at an
old-time game of crokinole.
Gloria and Eliza Vanmaar
of Holmesville got to dress up.
in period costume, replete
with fashionable hats of the
day and carrying baskets, and
had their photo taken in from
of a vintage automobile with
mom, Annie.
The Linton family from
Mitchell enjoyed the skill of
a period hockey game.
It was all part of the family
fun day of activities at the
Huron County Museum
Monday, a day of free admis-
sion and activities that
launched the celebration of
Canada's 150th birthday.
Organized and staffed by
Friends of the Huron County
Museum and Historic Gaol,
Family and Heritage Day
activities form one of the
major events of the year
sponsored by the volunteer
organization.
"The Family Day activities
and Halloween celebrations
are the biggest events of the
year for the volunteer group,"
Louise Dockstader of
Friends of the Museum said.
" We're a volunteer group
associated with the museum
to promote it and activities.
Last year (Family Day), we
had 599 people come
through and this year we
have 250 people here already
(by noon)."
More than 20 volunteers
staffed the activities offered
during the free one -day event
to promote the county
museum and give families the
opportunity to experience the
facility and its outstanding
memorabilia displays.
"Some families will visit
for the first time today and
we find that some families
return each year for Family
Day. Today we have people
here from Kitchener, Elmira
and Mississaugua," Dock-
stader said.
At various stations through-
out the museum, families
could partake in rope malting,
cookie decorating, crafts,
games, a scavenger hunt, a
sing -a -long and storytelling in
the museum theatre courtesy
of Bill Farnell who regaled
patrons with the story of the
development of the Canadian
Pacific Railway.
There was plenty of activi-
ties for families and for the
Carter family of Seaforth,
their first trip to the museum
made for a fun day.
"It's.our first time here and
we're liking it."
"This event is excellent for
the kids," Amanda Linton o
Mitchell added.
The Museum Friends
group was created in 1987 to
promote the Huron County
Museum and Historic Gaol.
The group promotes, hosts
and assists with activities
and events throughout the
year, including fundraising
and the cataloguing and
exhibit of artifacts.
Family Day is celebrated
the third Monday of Febru-
ary, annually. It was an elec-
tion promise of the Provin-
cial Liberals and the first
Family Day was observed
Feb. 18, 2008.
Kieran and Mackenzie Finnigan of Seaforth get a helping hand
from grandma, Cindy Flanagan, to decorate their cookies.
Bennett and Whitney DeVries of
Goderich look fashionable in front of a
vintage auto.
11
on County Museum
1
Photos courtesy of Dave Sykes
Louise Dockstader of the Friends of the Museum, organizers of
Family Day activities helps a family register for the scavenger
hunt.
Jeremy Marsh of Goderich engages his dad,
Simon in game of crokinole at the Huron
County Museum Family Day activities.
Brayden Carrick and his dad, Joe,
watch a rope -making machine.
Gloria and Eliza Vanmaar of Holmesville,
pose with mom, Annie, in vintage
costumes.
Adrian Lamb of Byron, watches rope being
made.
Terra Allen of Hensall plays a vintage piano
at the Huron County Museum.
1+ axes
FOR 175 LABELS! Many Styles To Choose From
120 Huckins Street, Goderich
PHONE: 524-2614 FAX: 524-9175
Monday Thursday 8 am - 5 pm & Friday 8 am - 4 pm
The wooden train setup in the craft room was popular with
children at the Family Day activities at the Huron County
Museum.