Young Families flooded the BWG Leisure Centre on Tuesday evening for the annual Family First Night to celebrate New Year’s Eve.
In the main lobby, a basket was set up and overflowing with donations from guests to the Helping Hand Food Bank and musical guests David Cavin Fraser and Karrie entertained the crowd with their two piece band consisting of guitar and drums.
Tots and their parents shuffled into the gym to take turns on three large obstacle infatables while the pool and rinks were filled with families for free swimming and skating.
Guets were also able to enjoy the free services set up throughout the centre: airbrush tattoos, photobooth with costumes and props and charicature portraits.
In the multipurpose room, Bex In Motion performed her interactive juggling and hulahoop bit.
In the other half of the room, children made party hats and coloured
For many, this event is an annual tradition, but for some like mom of two, Melissa DaSilva, this was her and her family’s first time attending.
"We had no other plans, and we have two children and thought it'd be fun," she said.
The evening closed off with a spectacular fireworks show.
Manager Recreation & Leisure Services, Nick Warman estimated there were around 2,000 people who attended last night's event, the largest number the event has ever seen.
“Skating and all other activities had the busiest night yet. Everyone enjoyed themselves and left happy," he said.
Mayor Rob Keffer, Deputy Mayor James Leduc and fellow councillors, Gary Baynes, Raj Sandhi, Peter Dykie, and Gary Lamb were there enjoying the festivities as well and wished everyone a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.
“While part of New Year’s Eve is to look back at the many good things and any tough things that came up in 2019, the more important part is looking forward to 2020," said Coun. Baynes.
The event was free to the public and sponsored by Bradford's Sport Clips Hair Cuts, Tim Horton's and Newmarket's New Roads Automotive Group.