Canada is turning 147 on Tuesday (July 1) and Squamish residents have the chance to celebrate the milestone all day long.
The annual Squamish Canada Day Community Celebration, led by event organizer Cindy Cardiff, is back again and offers a full day of activity for all locals.
Cardiff, who joked that she’s an organizing committee of one, said the day is a lot of work, but truly brings together the entire community.
“It really is a community celebration,” she said. “All these different groups and activities come together and they all step forward. It’s part of what makes this event so exciting — each activity is being taken care of by a different community group. I don’t know of any other local event that is done like that.”
This year features the return of the Acrobag. Those who want to take the plunge onto the inflatable airbag can do so for a fee, with part of the proceeds going to the Howe Sound Sounders football team. The Sounders will be manning the Acrobag and it’s one of the team’s fundraisers for the upcoming season.
It all gets underway with the opening ceremonies at 10:30 a.m. A people-powered Canada Day march sees participants walk from the Rotary clock on Cleveland Avenue to the Cenotaph. After the march is the flag raising ceremony, along with the singing of O Canada, speeches from dignitaries and Canada flag-decorated cupcakes.
Music is always a big part of Squamish Canada Day and this year is no different. Musical acts are on the O’Siyam Pavilion stage from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and feature everyone from the Sea T Sky Big Band to The Shifters to The Blinking Fish.
“I’m really excited about the music this year,” Cardiff said. “There’s so much great music coming and it’s all free.”
In addition to the music, Canada Day activities will take over Downtown Squamish, with Cleveland Avenue, Squamish Junction Park and Stan Clarke Park all hosting activities.
Activities and shows include: the dog agility performance show, horse rides, a loggers sports demonstration, a classic car show and so much more.
Cardiff has been in charge of Canada Day celebrations in Squamish for several years and said it’s really a testament to Squamish’s community spirit.
“I am big about being Canadian, but I like that this is such a community celebration,” she said. “It’s a lot of work but the fact that all these people come forward is so cool. I’m the overseer and put someone in charge of everything, but these groups run their own area and it works out well.”
She said she hopes for sunshine, but pointed out it should be a big turnout because Canada Day falls on a Tuesday this year and many people have to return to work the next day.
The grand finale to the day is the fireworks show to end off the day, but Cardiff said it should be a day full of fun for all Squamish residents.
“There’s literally things to do all day.”
It goes down all day in Downtown Squamish on July 1. For details on the event, visit www.squamishcanadaday.com.
