AND AWAY WE GO … WITH SKOKIE’S 56TH BIRTHDAY PARTY TO KICK OFF GRAVENHURST’S WEEKEND WINTER CARNIVAL

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

GRAVENHURST — What a party! What a start to Winter Carnival!

Day 1 of Gravenhurst’s winter fest was a big hit with kids and their families tonight as they warmed up for tomorrow’s main events on Muskoka Road and surrounding streets and lake.

Skokie’s 56^th Birthday Party was the kick off at the Muskoka Discovery Centre at 5 p.m.

A much more comfortable and fitting venue for more than 100 kids and their parents to enjoy pizza and veggies — before the singing of “Happy Birthday,” big cake cutting —  and of course the eating of it.

Add “Lofty the Magician,” sleigh rides with Junior and Rascal pulling the snowy wagon, face painting and more music and merriment.

And you’ve got a fun way to begin the Family Day Weekend.

Click on photos to begin slide show with cutlines.

A ride around the parking lots at the Wharf was a fun way to enjoy the night in the Twin Maple Farms wagon.

A ride around the parking lots at the Wharf was a fun way to enjoy the night in the Twin Maple Farms wagon.

Heather Morrison holds on to Junior and Rascal while waiting for wagon to fill up.MG_3628

Heather Morrison holds on to Junior and Rascal while waiting for wagon to fill up.

Christine Jameson lets out a laugh between rides.MG_3624

Christine Jameson lets out a laugh between rides.

Arlie Walser, 4, smiles after receiving her gold medal from Ava Poulsen and Emily Taylor tonight, as she entered the Discovery Centre.

Arlie Walser, 4, smiles after receiving her gold medal from Ava Poulsen and Emily Taylor tonight, as she entered the Discovery Centre.

A nice large Family Day weekend crowd of well over 100 enjoyed the free party, food and birthday cake.

A nice large Family Day weekend crowd of well over 100 enjoyed the free party, food and birthday cake.

Mikaila Anderson, who designed this year's Winter Carnival button, received a gift certificate for her efforts.

Mikaila Anderson, who designed this year’s Winter Carnival button, received a gift certificate for her efforts.

'Lofty the Magician' entertained young and old with the biggest want in town.

‘Lofty the Magician’ entertained young and old with the biggest want in town.

Jeff Knapp, and his family, one of the party sponsors cuts the birthday cake with Skokie as a highlight of the night.

Jeff Knapp, and his family, one of the party sponsors cuts the birthday cake with Skokie as a highlight of the night.

For more on the weekend, including the schedule, check out this week’s advance story:

‘YOU OTTER BE HERE’ THIS FAMILY DAY WEEKEND IN GRAVENHURST FOR WINTER CARNIVAL ON MAIN STREET https://muskokatoday.com/2026/02/you-otter-be-here-this-weekend-in-gravenhurst-for-winter-carnival-on-main-street/

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