In celebration of Canada’s 150th anniversary, organizers of this year’s Canada Day say this year’s event will be bigger and better than ever.
Fire spinners, Squamish Nation dancers and drummers, Bhangra dancers, local musicians and fireworks will entertain the crowd, while a market and beer garden are open for extended hours this year.
The day begins at 10:30 a.m. with a parade along Cleveland Avenue downtown before the flag raising and cake cutting at Stan Clarke Park an hour later.
The market, full of local vendors and food trucks, runs from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at Junction Park, while entertainment and a beer garden, featuring Squamish-based Backcountry Brewing, runs from noon to 10 p.m. The evening ends with fireworks at 10 p.m.
“We’re really excited about this year. There is a lot to do for families with children and there is great cross-cultural entertainment,” said Bianca Peters of the Downtown Squamish Business Improvement Association, adding a pie-eating contest, bouncy castle and photo booth are also included.
Squamish’s Canada Day event is part of Canada 150, a national celebration that includes National Aboriginal Day on June 21, which was held locally at Totem Hall, and Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day on June 24 and Canadian Multicultural Day on June 27.
New this year, a shuttle will run from downtown to Totem Hall’s Multicultural Day and to the Squamish Spit for Kite Clash, the Canadian National Championships in kiteboarding freestyle.
Entertainment includes Rick Scott, Jocelyn Pettit, Scott Verbeek & Friends and Bluesberry Jam Showband, as well as local dance academies.
“This year’s fireworks will be even better. There’s a musical melody to go along with them and a Canadian theme,” said Peters.
Entertainment line up
Noon: Rick Scott
12:45 p.m.: Squamish Nation dancers and drummers
1 p.m.: Carolyn Grass & Friends
2 p.m.: Overcomers
3 p.m.: Will Ross
3:50 p.m.: Squamish Dance Centre
4:10 p.m.: Imy and TJ Banghra Dancers
4:20 p.m.: Howe Sound Dance Academy
4:50 p.m.: Squamish Academy of Music
5:35 p.m.: Pie-eating contest
6 p.m.: Scott Verbeek & Friends
7 p.m.: Kite Clash awards ceremony
7:30 p.m.: Joecyln Pettit Band
8:45 p.m.: Bluesberry Jam Showband
9:45 p.m.: Fire Spinners
10 p.m.: Fireworks
