THUNDER BAY – Canada Day is going to have a much different feel in Thunder Bay this summer.
And you’ll need an internet connection to access most of the programming planned.
The City of Thunder Bay has moved its 2020 celebration online, under gathering restrictions put in place because of COVID-19. As a result it means there will be no city-wide party at Marina Park or at Fort William Historical Park, and no late-night fireworks show.
However, the city’s Louisa Costanzo, supervisor of cultural development and events, said that doesn’t mean the community can’t come together as one to celebrate the country’s 153rd birthday.
“It’s going to be different. It’s sad that we can’t all gather and celebrate in person, but we’re going to offer some online programming. We have some stuff starting on June 29, the Monday, at 11 a.m.”
The bulk of the Canada Day festivities will begin at 6 p.m. on July 1, running for about an hour and 45 minutes until the federal festivities begin in Ottawa.
It’ll closely resemble the stage show normally seen on the waterfront every year, including local musicians Martin Blanchet, Jean-Paul De Roover and Almost Abba, a multi-municipal NHL20 online video game tournament, a cupcake decorating tutorial and a video scavenger hunt. The music is slated to begin at 7 p.m.
Costanzo said it might not be the same, but it’s still important to have something for residents to celebrate.
“We’re in a different world now. I think everything’s changed for us,” she said. “I think large groups, who knows when we can get together? It’s important to keep doing things. We need to celebrate our country. We need to celebrate our city. I think it’s really important to showcase a lot of the stuff that we’ve got going on in the city as well.”
Costanzo said the city is holding out hope that if and when COVID-19 gathering restrictions are lifted that it might be possible to hold a traditional fireworks display, but that decision will be guided by public health.
“The safety of everyone is most important,” she said.
To see a schedule of events or where to tune in to watch, visit www.thunderbay.ca/canadaday.
The programming is being funded by the federal government.
