Canada Day plan

If the city has its way, everyone will get a chance to have their cake and eat it too on this Canada Day.

Officials with the City of Thunder Bay unveiled their Canada Day plan during a media conference at Marina Park on Tuesday.

Kayla Berst, co-ordinator of the Canada Day festival, said they will have something for everyone at the festival this Friday, July 1. About 20,000 people attend the event each year, and Berst said the city hopes to have that same number attend this year’s event.

"It’s going to be bigger and better than ever," Berst said. "Canada Day is always something that we look forward to. This is Thunder Bay’s longest standing single event that hosts the most people.

“We’re really looking forward to it."

Last year marked the first time the city did not host a Canada Day parade, but Berst said they decided to have a small procession for this year’s celebrations.

"I know this year we have so much going on in the park that it adds to that parade feel," she said. "There’s going to be a mini parade. We’re still going to have the whole shebang."

The events will have a festival feel with street performers, concession stands and a small parade that will feature music from the Thunder Bay Police Service’s pipe band. But organizers don’t want participants to feel anchored to one spot, so the event will still have plenty of activities and room for participants to wander around.

To make the event as family friendly and as safe as possible, the city has opted out of serving alcohol at the festival.

"We have a lot planned for Canada Day," she said. "It’s Canada Day right? It’s our big birthday. It’s a huge celebration here in Thunder Bay. We have a beautiful park to celebrate in with the Sleeping Giant right in our backyard. I’m really trying to incorporate a festival atmosphere."

But celebrations aren’t just happening near the waterfront.

Fort William Historical Park communications officer Marty Mascarin said they also have a day filled with things to do.

"Activities start all day long," Mascarin said. "We have games, face painting, a friendly tug-of-war, and then our major canoe arrival happening around 2 p.m.

“At 3 p.m., we have our dress Canadian pride contest. We encourage people to dress in their maple leafs, Canadian flags and put on little maple leafs of the cheeks of your children."
Thunder Bay Mayor Keith Hobbs said he’s excited to celebrate Canada Day and teased reporters that he had a surprise in store for those in attendance.

"I’m just looking forward to some great weather, great events and great fireworks," Hobbs said. "We’re celebrating Canada’s birthday in the best city in Canada."

Admission is free on Canada Day at Fort William Historical Park with activities starting at 10 a.m. The Canada Day festival at Marina Park start at 5:30 p.m., and the firework show will start at 11 p.m.