February 18, 2019
It was a chilly Family Day with temperature -15°C but you could hardly tell due to all the excitement happening at the DUKE on Ice event. The Champagne Centre parking lot in front of the Paramount Ice Arena was packed with residents celebrating the holiday as the Duke Heights BIA was hosting the first DUKE on Ice Family Winterfest. We wanted to provide North York families with an affordable day of family entertainment with loads of free giveaways and fun activities and our guests responded graciously.
The Ice rink was full to capacity throughout the day as families enjoyed free skating, free face painting and caricature drawing. With free maple syrup taffy, free hot chocolate and free cookies, children thoroughly enjoyed all free outdoor games that included beanbag toss, golf putting, snowman and a huge slide for them to play on. Thanks to our event partner, Lumacare, for their support all through and for donating free books for all kids to take home courtesy of the “First Book” programme. Catchy tunes played by local disc jockey and Zumba demonstration by local fitness experts upped fun for the audience all afternoon.
Food trucks set up by Wickedly Sinful and Pancho’s Bakery were on site offering poutine and churros respectively. Soupalicious was also there handing out a variety of delicious soups. Emily Rose Apiaries had tables selling a different kinds of artisan honey and Knitting Legends came with their range of knitted goods and chains. Our sponsors from Scotiabank were also present giving out freebies and offering free financial advice. A variety of raffle prizes were offered including Google Home Mini, gift certificates from Paramount Ice and La Liga Toronto, a gift basket from Lumacare, and tickets to the Ripley’s Aquarium courtesy of Scotiabank, and many more.
Thanks to everyone who attended. If you missed this year, mark your calendars now! DUKE on Ice is surely coming back next year on Family Day.