Powell River residents will be painting the town red and white in celebration of Canada Day on July 1. This Monday, events around the region are offering family fun with Canada-themed games, entertainment and, of course, cake.
Key among this year’s festivities is the celebration at Willingdon Beach.
“We’ve got the support to make this a Canada Day to remember,” said Patti Coburn, who organized the event. “We’re getting a lot of wonderful people from Powell River to step forward.”
This year’s celebration is focused on Canadian creativity, with art and performances that showcase original work in the community.
After official birthday greetings from local dignitaries at 7 pm, the stage will be graced with everything from live music to fire dancers. This year’s lineup is focused on lights, with black-light zumba dancing and a glow stick performance by Powell River Gymnastics Club.
A special art and light display will project pictures of the festivities, as well as pictures of celebrations around Canada, onto a screen on the Rotary Club of Powell River stage to the background of music and a black light show.
The grande finale of the night will be a luminary lantern parade which takes place at 10 pm. Event-goers are encouraged to bring their own lanterns or make one on-site. To top off the parade, 100 floating lanterns will be released from the beach.
The night will also feature a giant Canada Day cake, which will be put together and decorated on location, and a dress in red contest complete with prizes. Food vendors will be serving delicious dinners and tasty treats throughout the evening.
“We really want people to know it’s a family-friendly event,” emphasized Coburn. There will be no beer gardens, but plenty of entertainment for the children such as pony rides and bouncy castles. A large bonfire will be burning on the beach during the event.
For those who want some birthday fun in the daytime, Tourism Powell River and the Open Air Farmers’ Market will both be holding events in the morning and afternoon.
Over in Paradise Valley, the farmers’ market will play host to additional food and craft vendors, with lots of red and white goodies for sale. Children are welcome to put down a blanket, free of charge, and display art or toys they wish to trade and sell. All are welcome to ride the miniature train which chugs around the site.
A variety of local performers will fill the stage, including pre-booked sets and open-mic musicians. Styles range from pop to folk to Cameron Twyford’s original genre of music, “farm rock.” Canada Day at the Market will last from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm.
An open house at Powell River Visitor Information Centre kicks off at 11 am and lasts until 3 pm. After receiving funding from Celebrate Canada, the organization will host a parking lot party complete with local performers, cake and a colouring contest. There will also be Canada-themed trivia with prizes. A National Film Board of Canada movie about the War of 1812 will be showing inside.
The centre will also be open for anyone with questions about the area and its activities.
“We’re just excited to be doing this,” said visitor services manager Tracey Ellis. “We want everybody to come out and have fun.”
Lastly, the Rotary Club of Powell River Sunrise is putting on a saltwater fishing derby for youth under 14. Fishing is limited to shores, piers and wharfs in the area. Registration is $2, at Marine Traders and Powell River Outdoors, and prizes will be given for the largest ling cod, the largest non-ling cod, the best photo and the most unique fish. Weigh-in will be at Willingdon Beach between 3:30 and 4:30 pm.
