THUNDER BAY – A patriotic sea of red and white is expected to descend on Marina Park on Canada Day, to celebrate the country’s 152nd birthday.
Festivities will also be happening throughout the day at Fort William Historical Park, where the first 500 visitors will receive free admission.
Leah Prentice, the city’s acting manager of community and cultural development, said there will be a little something for everyone at the waterfront event, which will culminate with the annual fireworks display at 11 p.m.
“Canada Day is 100 per cent our largest event that we do every year,” Prentice said on Thursday at a kick-off event unveiling this year’s list of activities.
“We will have up to 20,000 people down here at Marina Park. We are programming the entire park from one end to the other, so people will be moving throughout the whole space. We’ll have all kinds of community groups and vendors on site and of course all the existing amenities, like the splash pad, the arts centre, restaurants and hotels.”
The events at Marina Park kick off at 5 p.m. and include everything from music and Canada Day cupcakes to a mural project, local artisans, a bubble station and giant outdoor games.
The music, which will be presented on different stages throughout the park, is highlighted by three-time Grammy-winning Sultans of String, who hit the OPG Community Stage at 8:45 p.m., an hour before local favourites The Honest Heart Collective start their set.
On the Porter Family Stage, located near the splash pad, the city has taken a bit of a different musical route this year.
“We’re going to have Canadian cover bands on the stage throughout the evening there. We’ve got Fine Fine Fines, who are doing Alanis Morrisette covers. We have Four Man Army doing Our Lady Peace covers. We have Courage doing Tragically Hip covers and we have Ikkon5n doing Rush covers,” Prentice said.
“So it should be a great time over there at the Porter Family Stage.”
For those looking for an earlier start to their day, Fort William Historical Park is throwing open its doors at 10 a.m., with a full morning and afternoon of events, said spokeswoman Emily Carr.
“Canada Day at Fort William Historical Park is such a great day,” she said. “Not only is it a day full of amazing activities and events going on, it’s also a great opportunity to come down and learn about the history that helped make Thunder Bay – all the communities that worked together.”
New this year is a Zorb ball obstacle course.
But there’s plenty of traditional fun too.
“We’ve got a free corn roast, free Canada Day cake. You can go on canoe rides on the beautiful Kaministiquia River. We’ve got wagon rides, axe throwing, musket firing, crafts, science stations – so much going on,” Carr said.
Back on the waterfront, after the opening ceremony at 6 p.m., the folks at Fort William Rotary Club will draw the name of the lucky winner of their annual house lottery at 6:30 p.m.
Canada Day-goers are reminded there is no parking available at Marina Park, but there is plenty available throughout the downtown north core. Shuttles are also available from Intercity Shopping Centre and the 55 Plus Centre on River Street.
City officials remind the public that alcohol, cannabis, fireworks and vaping are not permitted in Marina Park on July 1.
