The bonus of living in the best country in the world is that for it’s 146 birthday, it’s giving us a long weekend.
Canada Day celebrations in Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge will finish off the first long weekend of summer, Monday, July 1, with a host of activities in both communities.
In Maple Ridge, festivities run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Memorial Peace Park, 11995 Haney Place. The stage will feature musical acts like Tequila Cowboy, The Roadrunners, the James Thorhaug Band, and the Johnson Brothers. Other activities include a Zumba demonstration with the help of the Ridge Meadows Chamber Orchestra, salsa dancing, and skateboarding demonstrations.
Families can also enjoy face painting for the kids, as well as arts and crafts.
The Haney Farmers’ Market will also be on hand on Canada Day, with vendors located beside Memorial Peace Park.
The official ceremony celebrating the day’s events will take place on the main stage at 12:30 p.m.
In Pitt Meadows, Canada Day gets underway at 8 a.m. at Pitt Meadows Spirit Square with the Lion’s Club pancake breakfast. Athletes In Kind will be holding its 15th annual Canada Day 8 km run at 9 a.m., with a 1 km and 2 km children’s races at 8:30 a.m. Money raised from the event supports families battling cancer.
The Pitt Meadows Community Association is hosting its fifth annual three-on-three street hockey tournament from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the recreation centre. Teams of four to six can still register for $35 on Canada Day from 8-8:45 a.m.
A number of musical acts will be on hand playing throughout the day in Pitt Meadows, including DaniElle, who won second-place honours at the 2013 Youththink B.C.’s best band competition. The official ceremony takes place at 11 a.m. and the day will also include arts and crafts for the kids.
Residents can also take advantage of free swimming at both the Harris Road Outdoor Pool and the Hammond pool from 12:30 to 4 p.m. and again from 5 to 8 p.m.
Canada Day
Maple Ridge Canada Day entertainment schedule:
• 10 a.m. - Tequila Cowboy;
• 10:40 a.m. - Fabulous Feet and Bergthorson Academy of Musical Arts;
• 11 a.m. - The Roadrunners;
• 11:40 a.m. - Zumba and Ridge Meadows Chamber Orchestra;
• noon - Tuegent;
• 12:30 p.m. - official protocol ceremony and Centre Stage Dance;
• 1:30 p.m. - Tuegent;
• 1:40 p.m. - Spirit of the Pacific and Ridge Meadows Chamber Orchestra;
• 2 p.m. - James Thorhaug Band;
• 2:40 p.m. - Maple Ridge Dance Circle and Odeum Theatre;
• 3 p.m. - Johnson Brothers.
Pitt Meadows Canada Day entertainment schedule:
• 8 a.m. - DaniElle
• 9 a.m. - Penelope Above
• 10:10 a.m. - AIK awards and prizes
• 11 a.m. - Official Ceremony
• noon - Michael Mitchell (songs and stories of Canada’s heritage);
• 1 p.m. - Penelope Above;
• 2 p.m. - DaniElle;
• 3 p.m. - Rising Phoenix;
• 4 p.m. - The Burn;
• 5 p.m. - hockey awards and prizes.