Skip to content
Join our Newsletter

Rotary plans end of summer celebration

Ten community groups signed on to family-focused event By Claire Piech In a tribute to old farm family fairs, the Whistler Rotary Club will be throwing its inaugural fun day on Sunday, Sept. 23.

Ten community groups signed on to family-focused event

By Claire Piech

In a tribute to old farm family fairs, the Whistler Rotary Club will be throwing its inaugural fun day on Sunday, Sept. 23.

Think bouncing castles, three legged races, and jellybean guessing contests for this family affair that will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Meadow Park.

“The idea behind this event evolved one day about two or three months ago when a few of us at the Rotary Club got to talking about how we would really like to have a fun day, sort of a celebration of the end of summer,” said event organizer Gordon Leidal.

“At first we thought about the idea of having a Rotary-sponsored bike ride, and from that we then developed this idea for a family oriented fun day,” he said.

So far, 10 community groups have signed on to man booths and participate in this not-for-profit, family-focused event.

One of the day’s highlights will be a bike-decorating contest, where kids will get to adorn their bikes with trimmings provided by the Rotary Club, and then show off their handiwork during a bike parade around park grounds.

Other activities planned include face painting, tug of war, and a celebrity kick off, where kids will get the chance to score a soccer goal against a prominent Whistler figure.

“We are still in the early stages of planning and just trying to figure out how we are going to make the whole thing work,” said Leidal, adding that the event, which will run rain or shine, is free for everyone in the community.

Entertainment will be provide by Squamish band Jocelyn Trio, and a by-donation barbecue will also be part of the day to feed hungry kids with hot dogs, hamburgers, soda, and chips.

“We are hoping this will become an annual event that will be built on every year and made more and more successful every year,” said Marg Pallot, who is helping organize the event.

The Rotary Club is encouraging everyone attending the event to be environmentally friendly by walking, biking, or taking public transport. However, parking will be available during the day to those who live further away and need to drive.

To volunteer for the inaugural Family Fun Day event, contact Pallot at mpallot@sothebysrealty.ca.