Canada Day celebrations return to Tri-Counties

Canada Day will be celebrated pre-pandemic style throughout the Tri-Counties this year.

“We managed to have Canada Day celebrations in 2020 and 2021, but in both of those years it was not nearly our pre-pandemic style of celebration,” says Fran Scott, community coordinator for the Town of Lockeport. “People are very excited to be getting more back to normal and with Canada Day falling on a Friday this year, we are going all weekend with events wrapping up on July 3.”

Events commemorating the nation's birthday are planned in the towns of Clark's Harbour and Lockeport in Shelburne County. In Digby County, the Town of Digby and the community of Weymouth will be hosting events. In Yarmouth County, one of the main sites will be the Town of Yarmouth's waterfront.

In the Town of Digby, the Canada Day Mayor and Councillor BBQ, to be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Fishermen Memorial Park on Maiden Lane, returns this year after a two year absence due to COVID.

“We're looking forward to it; getting out and seeing people again,” says Mayor Benjamin Cleveland.

“Normally we serve 600 hot dogs,” he says. “It's an opportunity for all the residents in town and from outside town to come down and relax, enjoy some hotdogs and cake and some music.”

Weymouth Canada Day celebrations begin June 30 with a street dance from 7 to 9 p.m. and a barbecue. The street parade at 10 a.m. gets the festivities going on July 1. A washer toss, vendors, kids games, music and other activities will take place during the day throughout the community. The day ends with a dance at the Weymouth Legion and fireworks at Sissiboo Landing at dusk.

In the Town of Yarmouth, Canada Day starts with a free breakfast at the HOPE Center at 9 a.m. Entertainment at Killam's Wharf on the waterfront begins at 10 a.m. and continues to10 p.m. with fireworks at dusk. There will also be carnival games for kids from 12 to 4 p.m. at the South End Playground. At the Cape Forchu lighthouse, cake and ice cream will be served from 2 to 4 p.m.

The Historic Acadian Village in West Pubnico is also celebrating Canada Day with cake, music and a canteen from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

The Island Treasures Canada Day fun in Lockeport actually started on June 21 with a number of community events leading up to July 1, including a waterfront concert on June 30 featuring Jamie Cotter & the Country Outlaws on South Water Street starting at 7:30 p.m. and a parade of lights in Lockeport's inner harbour at dusk. In the case of bad weather, the concert will move to the Lockeport Fire Hall.

A children's parade at 11 a.m. is the first of three parades on July 1 in Lockeport. The 'Little Mac' Antique Car Parade at 1:45 p.m. will by the lead-off for the 'Island Treasures' Grand Street Parade at 2 p.m. The annual craft fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Lockeport Fire Hall.

The Seacaps Park in Lockeport will be the location for carnival booths, musical entertainment and other activities throughout the afternoon and evening, including a pie eating contest and a Magic Show with the Amazing Mr. J (5:30 p.m.) a rap concert with 6-year-old Levon Bruce (6:30 p.m.) followed by an outdoor concert with One Meter Up starting at 8 p.m. A mini fireworks display planned for 10 p.m.

On July 2, the annual grease pole from South Wharf (11 a.m.), a photo scavenger hunt (teams must register at 12 p.m. at Lockeport Recreation Centre), and a Seniors Social (1 p.m.) with the Dave Burbine Band at the Seacaps Park, are among the day's highlights. A self directed treasure hunt at Roods Head Park, a business challenge sponsored by CBDC Shelburne at the Seacaps Park (2 p.m.), duct tape boat races at Freddy's Beach (3 p.m.) and a video street dance starting at 9 p.m. at Seacaps Park round out the day's activities.

A two-day softball tournament at Old Son's Ball Field will wrap up on July 3. Also on tap for the day is a washer toss tournament (10 a.m.) at Seacaps Park, the Seamen's Memorial Service at the Marine Monument next to Little School Museum at 2 p.m. and a soapbox derby at 3 p.m. on Crest Street. Official carts will be provided.

An Island Treasures local finds display, which opens

July 1 at the Little School House Museum Marine

Room from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. host Daniel Williams & Jordan Morash on July 2 for a demonstration and Q & A all about metal detecting and local treasure hunting.

In Clark's Harbour, Canada Day celebrations began on June 27 with a trivia night at the Clark's Harbour Legion starting at 6:30 p.m. On June 28 there was a town walk starting from the library at 8 p.m. On June 30, the Mini Miss (ages 4 to 6) and Little Miss (ages 7 to 10) pageants will be held at the Legion at 2:30 and 6 p.m. respectively.

On Canada Day, activities get underway early in the morning in Clark's Harbour with a 5K run. Pre-registration starts at 7:30 a.m. and the run begins at 8:30 a.m.

A car show at the F. A. Brannen Ballfield (9 a.m. to 2 p.m.), Go Cart Races on Water Street (Doug's Welding Shop), the opening of vendor stands and bouncy tents, all starting at 10 a.m., lead up to the street parade at 11 a.m. No pre-registration is necessary.

In the afternoon there will be chip bingo at the Clark's Harbour Legion from 1 to 4 p.m. with proceeds going to Minnie's Feline Friends. Live entertainment at the Town Gazebo is also slated for 1 to 4 p.m. If the weather is inclement, the entertainment will move to the Clark's Harbour Elementary School. The day ends with a fireworks display at 10 p.m.