Today (July 1) is Canada's 138th birthday and celebrations are ongoing at the Squamish Pavilion area downtown. Children's races and canine sports, demonstrations and entertainment start at Pavilion Park at 9 a.m. The official flag-raising ceremony at Stan Clarke Park beings at 11 a.m. The Royal Canadian Legion Diamond Head Branch #277 colour party led by the Black Tusk Caledonia Pipe and Drum Society Band will march down Cleveland Avenue at 10:45 a.m. from the Howe Sound Inn for the start of the ceremony. The birthday cake will be cut at 11:30 a.m. The third annual Fire Muster will be held at noon with team competitions between members of Squamish Fire Rescue.
The annual Canada Day Multicultural Festival begins at noon on Canada Day at Totem Hall and goes until 6 p.m., featuring native drumming, multicultural dancing and a variety of ethnic food.
The Royal Canadian Legion Diamond Head Branch #277 is holding a special dedication service at 1 p.m. on Canada Day at the Legion. New plaques will be placed on the cairn to honour the Korean veterans and also Canadian Forces peacekeepers. An open house will follow upstairs and everyone is invited to see the new renovations. On Sunday (July 3) a pancake breakfast will be held at the Legion from 8 a.m. to noon. The volunteers who serve up those tasty Friday night dinners are taking a break for the summer but will be back in September.
Today (July 1) the West Coast Railway Heritage Park is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and admission is by donation. A special Canada Day cake will be served at noon and face painting is from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. At the B.C. Museum of Mining in Britannia Beach there are also Canada Day celebrations with cake served on a first-come, first-served basis.
More entertainment is coming your way Saturday (July 2) when the first Summer Jam at the Farmers' Market is held in the Squamish Pavilion right next to the Farmers' Market on Cleveland Avenue from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The emphasis is on youth. At 11 a.m. popular and talented 10-year-old fiddle player Jocelyn Petit and her parents Siew and Joel will entertain you. The band No Remorse will play at noon and SP at 2 p.m. At 1 p.m. a group of gals from Pemberton, Chicks with Picks, will take the stage. There will be some covered seating for the audience, but you might want to take along a lawn chair or blanket. There will also be face-painting for the kids. This event is brought to you courtesy of the Squamish Town Centre Association.
It's time again for the Grassroots Jam at the Brackendale Art Gallery Sunday (July 3) from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Last month was the biggest and best ever jam, with 17 musicians around the circle at one point. You are invited to participate or just enjoy the entertainment.
Summer holidays are here but the Teen Book Club is continuing. The next meeting is Tuesday (July 5) from 6:15 to 7:15 p.m. at the Squamish Public Library. The book to be discussed is Sun Sings by Shelley Hrdlitschka. During the evening, pizza and pop are shared. For more information, contact Hilary at the library or phone her at 604-892-3110 or email [email protected].
The Wild Older Women cyclists will not be riding on Monday (July 4) but if you would like more information on the group please call Shirley at 604-898-5715.
Each week until the end of summer there are adventure outings for eight- to 11-year-olds. The Adventure Bus leaves from Brennan Park Recreation Centre each morning for great outdoor activities. The first camp begins Monday (July 4) and runs to July 8 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. French Extreme Summer Camp for ages nine to 12 will also be in session 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. July 4 to 8. A babysitter-training course for 11- to 17-year-olds will be held July 4 to 13 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. each night. For more information on programs offered at Brennan Park drop by or call 604-898-3604.
The Tantalus Walking Club is open to anyone, especially seniors. The primary walks take place on Thursdays for an hour and are usually followed by coffee at a local shop. For those who want a slightly greater challenge, additional walks also take place on Tuesdays. All walks start at 10 a.m. rain or shine. On Thursday (July 7) the group will meet at the dog pound on Government Road for a walk along the trail to the golf course.