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Canada Day offers up plenty of fun and festivities in Thunder Bay

The city will be awash in red and white on Wednesday as the nation celebrates its 148th birthday.
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The city will be awash in red and white on Wednesday as the nation celebrates its 148th birthday.

Canada Day festivities will kick off earlier in the day at Fort William Historical Park, shift to the north-core downtown for the OLG Casino’s annual Cruiser Day and finally to Marina Park for an evening of fun culminating in the annual fireworks display.

It’s the biggest event of the year in Thunder Bay, said city events supervisor Dave Mossman, noting about 20,000 people flocked to Marina Park in 2014.

“I think it’s because everybody who lives in Thunder Bay share something in common, and that’s that we’re all Canadian – or people are traveling here and it’s something to celebrate,” Mossman said on Thursday, unveiling the official program for the big day.

“You’re celebrating your identity, so that’s why people come out for this type of event.”

There’s also a little something for everyone, he added.

Opening ceremonies are scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m., but the fun and games get under way an hour earlier.

Marina Park activities include canoeing, paddling and kayaking, an open-air photo booth, caricatures for charity, inflatable play structures, face painting and balloon animals, an artisans’ market, a drumming circle, an illusionist, yoga on the pier and of course, the splash pad.

There will be artistic exhibits at the Baggage Building, skateboard demonstrations at the skate plaza and bands playing on two stages from 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Food vendors will be on hand throughout the evening and fireworks will end the evening, starting at about 11 p.m.

There will be no parking on site, and organizers are encouraging the public to make use of a free shuttle service from both Intercity Shopping Centre and the 55-Plus Centre starting at 4:30 p.m.

About 2,500 people are expected to take part in the festivities at Fort William Historical Park, which include the traditional Canada Day birthday cake, games and contests, canoe rides and plenty of people showing off their national pride dressed in the country’s colours.
Fort spokeswoman Marianne Bortolin said it’s all about celebrating what it means to be Canadian.

“We’re deeply connected at the Fort and we just love to celebrate that and love to show our pride,” she said.

Admission is $10 for adults and $8 for youths, seniors and students.

OLG’s Tanya Martin said Cruiser Day Block Party just keeps getting bigger and better each year.

Applauze Productions will take the stage at 1 p.m., with a tribute to Classic Canadian Rock at 2 p.m. and the always popular classic car show going on all afternoon. Cumberland Street, between Park Avenue and Court Street will be closed as a result.

“The car show registration starts at 10 a.m. and they can do so until noon,” Martin said. “It’s open to the public at noon to 5 p.m.”

Traffic Sgt. Glenn Porter reminds the public there will be a heavy police presence in the downtown area most of the day, and asks that people leave their booze at home.

“Alcohol is not permitted in the park during Canada Day celebrations,” he said.

Meanwhile Thunder Bay Fire Rescue’s Anthony Stokaluk suggested the public forgo setting off their own fireworks because of the associated dangers, adding if that’s a family tradition to exercise extreme caution when lighting them.

For more information, visit www.thunderbay.ca/canadaday

 

 

 



Leith Dunick

About the Author: Leith Dunick

A proud Nova Scotian who has called Thunder Bay home since 2002, Leith is Dougall Media's director of news, but still likes to tell your stories too. Wants his Expos back and to see Neil Young at least one more time. Twitter: @LeithDunick
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