Canada Day is upon us and the downtown north core will be a hub of activity on Monday.
Front and centre during daylight hours is a revamped parade, featuring a green and active living theme.
Cars and floats have been eliminated from this year`s event, which starts at 6 p.m. and will follow the Sleeping Giant Parkway.
“We decided to change it up this year, we wanted a shorter parade,” said Sophie Best, the city’s Canada Day co-ordinator.
“We want to see if we could get more walking groups and entertaimment groups.”
Other activities at Prince Arthur’s Landing include a pair of entertainment stages that will offer up local music until 11 p.m., and plenty of hands-on activities, including canoeing, play structures, drumming circles, face painting, balloon animals, a Youth Zone scavenger hunt and Science North’s interactive display of unbelievable science.
The annual fireworks display is scheduled for 11 p.m.
The city is offering free shuttles to the Marina?Park area starting at 4:30 p.m., departing from the 55 Plus Centre and Intercity Shopping Centre.
Parking for disabled persons will be available on site, though no other vehicles will be allowed inside park boundaries.
“I would like to encourage everybody to use free shuttles that are being provided,” said Sgt. Glenn Porter of the Thunder Bay Police Service traffic unit.
If you`re looking for a more rustic approach to Canada Day, Fort?William Historical Park is putting on its annual celebration, including the popular Canada Day costume contest and a mixture of heritage and modern events.
Earlier in the day OLG is hosting a series of events, including entertainment from Thunder?Bay`s Got Talent from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and their annual antique car show with prizes worth $2,000.
Water Street will be closed to traffic from 9 p.m. until midnight to ensure safety.
Police remind revellers no personal alcohol or fireworks will be allowed in Marina Park, and the public will be subject to a search entering Prince Arthur’s Landing.
Here’s a full list of activities being put on by the City of Thunder Bay:
A GREEN & ACTIVE PARADE
6:00 - 6:30pm
This year’s parade has a green twist to it, promoting “green & active living”. The parade route has been shortened to encourage community groups and businesses to enter a walking, marching, performance or cycling group that promotes sustainable, healthy and active community messages. The Parade Route begins at Pearl Street and Water Street at the entrance into Prince Arthur’s Landing. Participants weave through Prince Arthur’s Landing, ending at the Marina Park Drive Overpass, beside Festival Area. To enter your group please call 684-2060.
PROGRAM OF ACTIVITIES
- Parade
- Face Painting
- Balloon making
- Craft Workshops
- Circus Workshops
- Kids Zone with Chippewa Summer Camps and Playgrounds
- Inflatable Play Structures
- Disc Golfing
- Come n' try Canoeing, Kayaking and Dragon Boating with Lakehead Canoe Club and Wilderness Supply
- Community Performances of Dance, Drums, Theatre and more!
- Caricatures for Charity
- Photo Booth
- Live Music at 2 stages (Main Stage and Waterfront Plaza Stage)
- Yoga with Radiant Yoga
- Artisans' Markets
- Baggage Building Arts Centre Gift Gallery and Exhibition
- Skateboarding activities with the Thunder Bay Skateboard Coalition
- Youth Zone Scavenger Hunt
- Splash Pad fun
- Fireworks
- FOOD
5:30 – 11:30pm
Food vendors will be available at various locations throughout the Park serving all your favourite goodies. A new addition this year is Bight Restaurant open from 11:30am – midnight, and their snack bar, The Bait Shop beside the Splash Pad open from 11:30am – 9pm.
FIREWORKS
Come out and celebrate Canada with a spectacular fireworks display after 11pm - they are guaranteed to make sparks fly!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GETTING TO THE SITE
Water Street will be CLOSED from 9pm to 12am (midnight)
NO Parking in Marina Park on July 1
PARK n' RIDE on the FREE shuttle bus to Marina Park (4:30 pm to 12:30 am) from:
Thunder Bay 55 Plus Centre (700 River Street)
Intercity Mall
Free Parking available in the Court Street Parkade (18 N. Court Street) on July 1
Thunder Bay Transit is operating on Sunday service schedule. Transit service will run until 12:00 am to accommodate the Canada Day celebrations. View the Transit webpage for bus schedules.
Accessible Parking: Go over the Marina Park Overpass and turn left into the Park (towards Lake Superior). Parking Permit for Disabled required. Limited space is available.
PARKING
There will be no parking in Marina Park on July 1
Free parking is available at the Court Street Parkade (18 N. Court Street) on July 1
Please use the FREE shuttle buses from the two community locations:
Thunder Bay 55 Plus Centre (700 River Street)
Intercity Mall
ROAD CLOSURE
Water Street will be closed from 9 p.m. to midnight.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WHAT TO BRING
Lawn chair(s) or blanket(s)
Sunscreen and hat
An umbrella! - This event is "rain or shine"
Cash as no debit or credit cards will be accepted on site
Show Your Canadian Spirit! Wear red and white on Canada Day! Bring flags or wear shirts or hats sporting the maple leaf!
IMPORTANT INFO
No personal fireworks or alcohol allowed in Marina Park.
