Duane Hicks
The “Friends of the Fort Frances Museum” has begun planning another fun day for families to cap off March Break.
“Snoasis 3: We Are Family” is set to take place Saturday, March 21 from noon-2 p.m. at the Lions Park here.
About 200 people attended the family fun day last March, so it was only natural the volunteers would host it again.
“Last year we had a really positive response from the community,” said “Friends” member Samantha Manty, who conceived the inaugural “Snoasis” in 2012 and then helped plan “Snoasis 2” last March.
“We had a lot of families come out and enjoy all of the activities we had going on,” she noted.
“It really seems like young families look forward to ‘Snoasis’ every year as it continues to grow.”
Manty said organizers change it up a little bit every year but people always seem to be excited about what’s going on.
“People have already been asking about what we have in store this year,” she remarked.
“It’s just a fun activity for the community to enjoy.”
While some thought was given to holding “Snoasis” in conjunction with Family Day on Feb. 16, last year’s event was held at the end of March Break and proved to be an overwhelming success.
As such, “Friends” figured, “Why change a good thing?”
“It’s a nice time to host it,” Manty reasoned. “On Family Day, people are often out of town and doing different things.
“It’s nice to offer something in March,” she added.
“We had a really positive response last year, a lot of families coming out, so we decided to do it at the end of March Break again this year.”
The event will include a “Frosty toss” ball throw game, ice bowling, and free hotdogs like last year, as well as some new ones, such as “Snolympics” for all ages, a snowman-building competition, and a maybe even a treasure hunt in the snow.
In addition, the Rainy Lake Nordic Ski Club already has confirmed its participation again this year by offering a chance for youngsters to try out cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Likewise, the Fort Frances Public Library and Memorial Sports Centre will likely host some activities to coincide with “Snoasis.”
Last year, there was a toonie skate at the arena and a toonie swim at the pool while face-painting, cookies, and hot chocolate, in addition to a special “Storytime,” were held at the library.
But with plans to make “Snoasis 3” bigger and better than last year, more volunteers will be needed.
“It seems like ‘Snoasis’ continues to grow and it’s something we would like to continue to hold, but we do a couple more volunteers come out and help,” Manty stressed.
“We are able to do more activities with more hands,” she reasoned. “I know people are pretty supportive about things that are going on in the community, so it would be nice to have a few people come out.
“It’s only two hours that we need people to come out and lend a hand.
“It’s great for Fort High student who need volunteer hours [to graduate] or just anyone who really likes seeing cultural activities in the community,” Manty said.
“It’s a great way to volunteer but without too much of a commitment.”
Fort High students, in particular, are encouraged to get involved and lend a hand.
To sign up to volunteer, drop the by Fort Frances Museum and speak with curator Sherry George, call her at 274-7891, or e-mail sgeorge@fort-frances.com
In related news, it’s not too late to get one of the “Friends of the Museum” 2015 calendars.
The calendars, which feature photos and facts from the town’s fascinating past, are available for $20 each at the museum.
Contact George to reserve copies.
The calendars were a hit this past Christmas season, with more than 200 sold, and the group will put together another calendar for 2016.
The “Friends of the Museum” is a non-profit group of volunteers who, since the fall of 2011, have been raising funds to help pay for “extras” at the local museum that go beyond its annual operating budget.
The group’s aim is to help the museum provide more programming for residents, as well as raise the profile of the museum as a valuable community resource.
