Get set to glow with patriotic pride during the annual downtown Business Improvement Association (BIA) Canada Day celebrations Thursday (July 1).
Starting at 10: 30 a.m., Cleveland Avenue will be buzzing with activities, music, food, drink, and even a friendly street hockey game -and capping off the day as always is a fireworks finale at 11 p.m.
"Canada Day will be a great day for everybody in town to come down to the funky eclectic hub that is downtown and celebrate our nations birthday," said BIA president Eric Armour.
"When we took it on five or so years ago, there wasn't much going on for the day, or even downtown for that matter. Over those years we've fostered it, and helped it grow for the whole community to enjoy."
As the BIA takes on more downtown initiatives, the organization is looking to hand over the Canada Day celebrations next year, according to Armour.
"With so much going on downtown now though, our organization's time for this event is getting spread really thin, so we're looking at hopefully passing the Canada Day party torch next year to the district, or a team of amazingly patriotic community volunteers," he said.
And the group intends to go out with a bang. This year's event is bigger and better than ever.
Thanks to Paul Hudson's music promotions company squamishmusiclive.com, downtown streets will be ringing with energetic tunes from 4 p.m. well into the night.
Headlining the entertainment are reggae rockers Mindil Beach Markets from Victoria, which made its name with Squamish Equinox Rock Festival (SERF) crowds last year.
Other bands include, Local rocker Shone, Rachel Thom from Whistler, Fogon from Quest University, which played this year's Dancing Bear Festival, DJs The Mavens from last year's The Bass Coast Project and Just Sheila & Andrea Graham aka the Librarian.
But before the dance party begins, locals commemorate the country's 143rd birthday with the traditional Legion march and flag raising at Municipal Hall and remarks from district and Squamish Nation dignitaries.
The Squamish Arts Council opens its doors to the Arts and Cultural Fair at Pavilion Park on Cleveland Avenue where artists' works from over 30 different arts and cultural groups will be on display from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The weekly Farmer's Market returns as Tai Chi demonstrations take place on its neighbour's grass at Pavilion Park. Fun for the whole family includes a dunk tank with special guest dunkees, a limbo contest and a chance to try out Heavy's hoops.
At 2 p.m. Squamish takes on Whistler in a friendly street hockey game on Cleveland Avenue between Winnipeg Street and Loggers Lane.
And at 3 p.m., kids get a treat with an entertaining puppet show. Mayor Greg Gardner officially wishes Canada a happy birthday with a cake cutting at 3:45 p.m.
Then it's time for a true Canadian delicacy -beer. The beer garden opens at 4 p.m. just as bands start launching into musical entertainment.
Crowds can dance the night away until 10:30 p.m. when pyrotechnic displays light up the sky thanks to donations from Rona and Churchill Property Corporation.
With all the activities going on, Armour says he expects a joyful scene on the streets of Squamish.
"Smiles, lots of smiles. Dancing bodies flagellating in rhythm to amazing music. Red and White fused everything. Families loving their town, and their town loving them back, and an overwhelming sense of Canadian pride."
