Monday, Feb. 19 is Family Day in Ontario, and while some people will receive the statutory holiday off work and school, others might not
With this in mind, it can be tough to know what stores and city services will be opened that day, so here’s a comprehensive list of what’s open and closed in Windsor on Family Day
Grocery stores
Most grocery stores will remain open on Family Day, but some stores may be operating on reduced hours. For specific hours, call ahead or check the store’s website
LCBO and The Beer Store
All LCBO stores and all Beer Store locations will be closed on Feb. 19
Pharmacies
Pharmacies will remain open on Family Day, but some stores may be operating on holiday hours. For specific hours, call ahead or check the store’s website
Schools and universities
Because Family Day is a provincial holiday, all schools in the area and the University of Windsor will be closed
Banks
All banks will be closed on the Family Day holiday.
Transit Windsor
Transit Windsor buses are operating on the Sunday/holiday schedule on Family Day. The customer service office at 300 Chatham Street West will be closed
Windsor Public Library
The Central, Riverside and Budimir branches will be open on Family Day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. All other branches will be closed
Garbage and recycling collections
There will be no residential collection services on Feb. 19. Residential garbage, yard waste and recycling collection services will be delayed by one day
Public drop-off and household chemical waste depots
The depots located at the northeast corner of Central Avenue and North Service Road East will be closed on Feb. 19
Parks and recreation
Community centres, customer care centres and arenas will be closed on Feb. 19, except for any already-booked rentals or events and the H4 program
The Gino & Liz Marcus Community Complex will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. for a free “Mat-tacular Minis” drop-in program
The Windsor International Aquatic and Training Centre (WIATC) will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m
Homelessness & Housing Help Hub (H4)
The day program at 400 Wyandotte St. E. (Windsor Water World) will be open regular hours, 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., seven days a week, including Feb. 19, 2024
Parking enforcement
Municipal ticket payment offices will be closed on Feb. 19, 2024. Ticket payments may still be made online by visiting the E-Services tab at CityWindsor.ca
3-1-1 Customer Contact Centre
The 311 Customer Contact Centre will be closed on Feb. 19. The contact centre will reopen on Feb. 20 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. 311 services and information are also available online and via the Windsor 311 mobile app
Museum Windsor
The Chimczuk Museum and François Baby House locations are normally closed on Mondays and will therefore be closed on Feb. 19, 2023.
THINGS TO DO FOR FAMILY DAY
Adventure Bay Family Water Park
Adventure Bay Family Water Park will be open during two windows of timing, in celebration of its 10th anniversary: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m
Youcan the Toucan will be there for a birthday cake cutting at 10:30 a.m., and local celebrity mascots will also be on hand to help us celebrate as special guests
In addition to the traditional cake cutting, visitors can have their picture taken with Ariel the Mermaid and Spiderman; indulge in complimentary cupcakes, generously sponsored by Zehrs; and warm up with free hot chocolate and coffee, courtesy of Tim Hortons while supplies last
Tickets are available online(opens in a new tab) for $10
Windsor Express Family Day game and activities
The Windsor Express announced a day of free family-friendly fun and activities on Feb. 19. Express tip-off against the Kitchener-Waterloo Titans is at 2 p.m., with doors opening at the WFCU Centre at 1 p.m. Tickets are still needed
Family Day in the Town of Essex
The Town of Essex invites residents to explore Agricultural Roots Essex
Each year, the Town of Essex celebrates the history, culture, and traditions of the region during Heritage Week
As part of this annual celebration, the Town of Essex is is hosting a number of Heritage Week activities, scheduled to take place from February 19 to February 23
This year, the theme is “Through the Grapevine: An Exploration of Essex’s Agricultural Roots,” highlighting the vibrant agricultural history that has shaped the identity of the Town of Essex
:Throughout the week, various engaging events and activities will be held, including
* Feb. 19 to 25: Free admission to the Canadian Transportation Museum and Heritage Village. (Families are invited to enjoy crafts activities and breakfast or lunch at the 50s diner on Feb. 19.)
* Feb. 19 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Feb. 21 from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.: the Essex County Steam and Gas Engine Museum will be open and offering free tours and wagon rides. Hot dogs, pop, chips and smores will also be available for five dollars
Free family skate in Tecumseh
Windsor-Tecumseh MPP Andrew Dowie is hosting a free family skate at the Tecumseh Arena on Monday from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p m
Windsor-Essex Children’s Aid Society celebrates families for Family Day
Through the generosity of several local businesses/organizations, Family Day will be a special time for families who receive services from the Windsor-Essex Children’s Aid Society (WECAS)
Co-operators; Team Goran RE/MAX Care Realty; LendCity Mortgage; and Sobeys St. Clair Beach, and have joined forces to provide 1,200 bags filled with groceries for families supported by the WECAS
Volunteers will fill the bags from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Sobeys on 19 Amy Croft Drive
Monetary donations can also be made towards ‘Food For Families’ using this link(opens in a new tab)
Family Fun Day in Leamington
LakePoint Family Church, with the support of the Windsor-Essex Children’s Aid Foundation and other sponsors, will host a fun day for families at the Nature Fresh Farms Recreational Centre on 525 Essex Road 14 in Leamington from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m
Activities include skating, swimming, bouncy castles and gym time, along with hot chocolate and refreshments
Activity bags for caring and sharing
As a result of a donation from the Solcz Family Foundation, 150 families will receive a Family Day Activity Kit. The kit includes activities that promote the premise of families, learning, playing, and strengthening relationships as they share activities together
Crafts, baking, and recreation are some key components of the kits
Spend Family Day at the Chatham-Kent Public Librar
Visit CKPL’s Chatham Branch as a family to Race to Hogwarts on Feb. 19 from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m
