THUNDER BAY – Canada Day offers lots to do in Thunder Bay, from sitting around at camp, to heading down to the Waterfront, to Fort William Historical Park, or enjoying Boulevard Lake, your choices are wide and wild.
City of Thunder Bay
The Recreation & Culture Division announced details of the upcoming Canada Day festivities scheduled for Tuesday, July 1, at Prince Arthur’s Landing at Marina Park. With past attendance estimates of over 20,000, Canada Day remains Thunder Bay’s largest annual single-day event. The celebration begins at 5:30 pm with entertainment and activities for people of all ages.
The Green and Active Living Canada Day Parade will once again kick-off the festivities this year, with plenty of music and colour to entertain the crowds. The parade starts at 6 pm, at the Pearl Street entrance inside Prince Arthur’s Landing, and participants will weave through the park to the Festival Area near the OLG Main Stage, where the Opening Ceremony will commence at 6:30 pm.
“The Canada Day celebration is one of Thunder Bay’s favourite events as we come together to celebrate our Nation’s birthday,” said Meghan Shanks, Recreation & Culture Division Programmer. “There will be music, activities, food and fun for the whole family. Remember to wear red and white to show your Canadian pride.”
There will be programming throughout Prince Arthur’s Landing from 5-11 pm, when the night finishes with a spectacular fireworks show.
The OLG Main Stage and the Waterfront Plaza Stage will host a variety of performers – a line-up complete with top-notch, local artists guaranteed to provide great entertainment. Numerous performances and demonstrations by local community groups will also take place at various locations throughout the park.
Come n’ Try activities such as canoeing, kayaking, and dragon boating will be available. Other activities for the whole family include art workshops at the Baggage Building Arts Centre, face painting, CirqueWorks, inflatable play structures, games and activities and the Youth Move Where’s Waldo Challenge. Don’t forget your bathing suit so you can cool off and play in the Splash Pad, and be sure to stop by the Open Air Photo Booth to get your very own Canada Day souvenir.
Food vendors will be on-site and bight Restaurant will be open from 11:30 am – 12 am.
Admission to the Canada Day celebrations at Prince Arthur’s Landing is free. Free parking is available at the Court Street Parkade (18 N. Court St) and free shuttle buses will be running from the Intercity Mall and the Thunder Bay 55 Plus Centre (400 River Street) from 4:30 pm to 12:3 am. There is no general public parking at Marina Park.
Fort William Historical Park
There is plenty of family-friendly fun happening as Fort William Historical Park (FWHP) celebrates Canada Day, Tuesday, July 1st. Tasty birthday cake, games, contests, heritage vignettes, and loads of family-oriented activities highlight the festivities.
Kids can join in outdoor games and contests, along with crafts, face painting, and science stations. Youngsters can also win prizes on the scavenger hunt. Canoe rides are also happening throughout the day.
Everyone can roll up their sleeves and get involved in spirited contests including log sawing for adults and youths at 12 pm, and potato sack races at 1:15 pm, both happening in the Main Square.
Visitors can add to the hoopla for the grand canoe arrival happening by the wharf at 2:20 pm, accompanied by bag pipers, and cannon and musket salutes, all serving as a prelude to the singing of O Canada at 2:30 pm in the Main Square. Patrons can enjoy servings of Canada Day birthday cake from 2:30 pm to 3:15 pm.
Visitors of all sizes are invited to don their maple leafs, moose antlers, mackinaws, and other red-and-white garb to compete for great prizes in the popular Canada Pride contest at 3:30 pm also in the Main Square.
Adding colour to the festivities are local entertainers including Tala the Clown, Brule Creek Band, and The Follies, all performing at various times during the day. Food and beverages are available for sale in the Cantine and BBQ.
Given the theme of the day, namely, the significant role the fur trade played in the evolution of our nation, and its cultural legacy that continues with us today, complemented by recreational family fun courtesy of its multi-faceted program offerings, there is no better place to celebrate Canada’s birthday than Fort William Historical Park.
Everyone is invited to celebrate Canada Day at Fort William Historical Park, Tuesday, July 1st. The Fort is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. For more information, please visit our website at www.fwhp.ca.
