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Canada Day celebrations are set

Fireworks displays at Marina Park and Fort William Historical Park highlight a day full of activities on July 1.
Canada Day 1
(Michael Charlebois, tbnewswatch.com)

THUNDER BAY – Canada Day celebrations are back and bigger than ever.

And once again, there will be activities on all day long, starting at Fort William Historical Part throughout the afternoon and concluding at Marina Park for six hours of revelry on the Thunder Bay waterfront, beginning Sunday, July 1 at 5 p.m.

Ash Young, the city’s supervisor of culture and events, said Canada Day celebrations typically draw about 20,000 people to Prince Arthur’s Landing, making it the single-largest city-sponsored event of the year.

“For us on the waterfront, it’s definitely the free, high-quality experience that we offer,” Young said. “And then obviously everyone loves the fireworks at the end.”

The city has gone full-out in 2018, adding a strongman competition and the magic of Rob Testa to the calendar of events, which also includes The Honest Heart Collective headlining the main stage, face painting, inflatable play structures and plenty of food vendors to feed the masses with tasty treats.

The fireworks show is the star of the day, and with a new company coming on board, Young said he thinks it could be the best one yet, even surpassing last year’s 150th birthday celebrations.

“They’re going to come in and they’re going to want to show off what they can do. They have really good references and we’re expecting a great show from them,” Young said.

The event is free of charge for everyone.

Those wanting to get an earlier start on the festivities can head out to Fort William Historical Park, where events will be taking place between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.

It’ll be a fabulous day of activities, said Emily Carr, communications officer at the park.

“It’s a family friendly event. You can come check out lots of live entertainment happening. We have a daytime fireworks show and plenty of fun, indoor and outdoor activities like bouncy castles. You can also go on canoe rides on the Kaministiquia River and try axe throwing this year, as well as musket firing,” Carr said.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for seniors and students. Children five and under are free.

If that’s not enough, Gateway Casinos is also hosting a number of events inside their venue, thought the big one, the antique and classic car show, will take place in their Park Avenue parking lot between 12 p.m. and 5 p.m.

“There will be a few vendors on site and it co-ordinates nicely with the activities on the waterfront,” said Gateway Casino customer relations manager Karen Marconi.

To top things off, a recent tradition has seen the Fort William Rotary House Lottery draw take place on the main stage, which this year will feature the city’s new mobile stage.

Updates and full schedules can be found on the city’s culture and events Facebook page.



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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