The New Year’s Family Fun Fest was just one of the positive outcomes after the 2023 World Junior Hockey Championships were held in Moncton.
The third annual Family Fun Fest was held on December 31, 2024.
Organizers provided an update to Moncton City Council during Monday night’s meeting.
Committee member Shane Esson says around 20,000 people attended, double the number from the previous year.
“The Moncton Wildcats were again, our presenting sponsor, and their game was a sellout, with 8600 fans. Three local hotels close to the Avenir Centre were sold out. That’s the Hyatt, Crowne Plaza and the Hilton and the downtown restaurants and bars were packed.
In addition to committee members, 40 volunteers helped organize and host the event.
“The event started at 2 pm with children’s entertainment and finished just past midnight with the second fireworks of the evening. We also had fireworks for younger families at 7:15 pm this year. We had face painters, we had a photo booth, a children’s choir, local bands on the Ian Fowler Oval, and our musical headliners this year were the Big Bad Party Band, Les Hay Babies, and everybody’s favourite Signal Hill, ” Esson says.
The cost of hosting the event was $ 200,000, which came from 50 corporate sponsors, Events Moncton, and the province of New Brunswick.
“Our goal for the event was to break even. We’re pleased to say we did so, as we did last year,” Esson stressed.
The Family Fun Fest is free to attend, and donations were received from various organizations.
Around 2500 of the fans who attended the Moncton Wildcats game were from organizations including the Boys and Girls Club, and after-school programs. This was thanks to ticket donations, that also went to less fortunate families. Esson says for many, it was their first hockey game ever.
Plans are now underway for the fourth annual New Year’s Eve Family Fun Fest event to be held on December 31, 2025.
