Two North Bay museums hold fun Family Day events
Many families and children chose to spend Family Day this year growing their brains and expanding their knowledge at museums in North Bay.
Family Day at two North Bay museums draw crowds. Feb. 19/24 (Eric Taschner/CTV Northern Ontario)
Both the North Bay Museum and Canadian Forces Museum of Aerospace Defence (CFMAD) were open free to the public for families to engage in games and activities and there was plenty of learning to go around.
Ava Burleigh, three, was smiling ear-to-ear when she climbed into the cockpit of a T-Bird fighter jet on display at the military museum.
"I had so much fun," she told CTV News laughing.
Her older brother Liam was reading all about how the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) was formed.
"I’ve learned about all these amazing planes and how they work," he said.
The museum was opened 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. for the holiday Monday.
Family Day is often a busy day for the military museum with lots of history to absorb, from Canada’s role in times of war to the duties of the men and women on 22 Wing/Canadian Forces Base.
"I had a lot of fun and got to go in the airplane," said 6-year-old Luca O’Brien.
From colouring to a scavenger hunt, the base and museum are looking to connect with the community especially this year, being the 100th anniversary of the RCAF.
"We’re hoping to have lots of celebrations this year or at least give them the opportunity to have them up here and brand it as a 2024 celebration," said military museum curator Bethany Aitchison.
- Download the CTV News app now
- Get local breaking news alerts
- Daily newsletter with the top local stories emailed to your inbox
The North Bay Museum was also open Monday from 12-4 p.m. with free admission or a cash/can donation to The Gathering Place.
Kids explored the museum’s second floor learning about the history of the city they call home, before sitting down for other activities and crafts.
"We had crafts going on, a giant building set so you can work on your building skills and lots of different things to check out," said North Bay museum curator Naomi Hehn.
"I had a lot of fun today," six-year-old Sophia Villeneuve told CTV News.
Both museums said Family Day is the perfect time to get kids out of the house and away from screens for hands-on learning and activities.
Normally, the North Bay Museum is open Wednesday through Saturday and the military museum is open Saturdays from 12 – 4 p.m., with bookings available outside regular hours.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6972494.1721646739!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
BREAKING Canadian killed near Gaza border after threatening forces with knife: Israeli police
Israeli police say a Canadian citizen was killed Monday after threatening Israeli security forces with a knife near the Gaza border.
Harris looks to lock up Democratic nomination after Biden steps aside, reordering 2024 race
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris moved swiftly to lock up Democratic delegates behind her campaign for the White House after President Joe Biden stepped aside amid concerns from within their own party that he would be unable to defeat Donald Trump.
What to know about the Canadian ties of Kamala Harris, Biden's choice for successor
U.S. President Joe Biden is stepping aside as the Democratic candidate in that country's November election and throwing his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris -- a Montreal-area high school graduate who spent several years in the city.
The pilot who died in crash after releasing skydivers near Niagara Falls has been identified
Officials on Sunday released the name of a pilot who died in a skydiving flight after her passengers jumped from the aircraft near the Niagara Falls.
Markets bet on second Bank of Canada interest rate cut coming this week
Economists and market watchers are betting the Bank of Canada will deliver another interest rate cut this week amid mounting evidence that inflation is sustainably easing.
10,000 unionized employees return to work, stores to reopen Tuesday: LCBO
Workers are back on the job today at Ontario's main liquor retailer, but the Liquor Control Board of Ontario says stores won't be open for business until Tuesday.
Canadian musicians struggle to get visas to perform in the U.S., some cancel shows
Backlogs and processing delays of temporary U.S. visas required by entertainers, athletes and artists has forced some Canadian bands to cancel U.S. tour dates because paperwork wasn't processed in time.
Mom wants quicker reform on disaster preparations, one year after flood took son
The mother of a boy who died a year ago in a Nova Scotia flood says her grief returns daily, along with frustration over what she considers the province's slow pace in reforming its preparations for climate disasters.
Ottawa man waiting nearly a year for car to be fixed at Acura dealership
An Ottawa man says he’s been waiting nearly a year for his car to be repaired after it was damaged during a storm in August.