Lighting the candles for Canada

Music offerings a big part of Canada Day festivities in Truro and Bible Hill

For the last couple of years, Canadians have celebrated Canada’s birthday much like they would a family member celebrating one that isn’t one of those special ages.

Covid-impacted celebrations have been modest, mostly small family and friends’ affairs, with the red and white maple leaf adorning houses and shirts. This year, however, activities have been lined up like it’s 2019.

“After two years of planning, cancelling, rescheduling, or going with one of our many back-up plans, we — Town of Truro Parks, Recreation and Culture Department — are beyond excited to be hosting an in-person event for Canada Day,” said director Ashley Simms.

“We hope there will be something for everyone. We understand not everyone is comfortable going to a large event, so we hope they will be able to hear the music or see the fireworks from a place they are comfortable doing so.”

The town has teamed up with the Village of Bible Hill and the Downtown Truro Partnership to offer a variety of events.

“Almost 12 hours of celebration,” Simms said. “And we are really looking forward to the local talent at Civic Square. This portion of the night will showcase our diverse community.”

In talking about the activities, Bible Hill Parks and Recreation director Haley Smith started with the parade in her community, which starts at 10:30 a.m. at St. David’s Avenue.

The parade proceeds up Pictou Road to Johnson Avenue, where it takes a right and continues to College Road. Going back down College towards DAL-AC, it turns right at Vimy Road, right again at Pictou, and back to St. David’s.

The fun continues at noon in Bible Hill at the Recreation Park off Guest Drive and includes fun inflatables, a petting

“We hope there will be something for everyone.” Ashley Simms Director, Truro Parks Recreation and Culture

farm by Sullivan’s Family Farm, Pony Rides by Shelby Ranch, and entertainment by Fiddles and Feet as well as Doris Mason, among other activities.

“It’s very exciting,” Smith said. “We’re happy to get back to a somewhat normal event.

“It will be good for the kids. Some of them may not have experienced anything like this before due to their age when COVID started. So it will be fun for families to get out and enjoy the day together at the park.”

When the fun ends at the park at 4 p.m., Canada Day celebrations continue in downtown Truro at Civic Square with an impressive musical line-up that includes local acts Brigid Trio (4 to 5 p.m.) and Gasper (5 to 6:15 p.m.), as well as one of Nova Scotia’s favourite party bands — The Stanfields, going from 7 to 8:30 p.m. It’s a free concert.

More of the local talent Simms referred to follows, and then, at 10 p.m., the traditional fireworks display. Civic Square, Riverfront Park off Walker Street, and the Colchester Legion Stadium on Lorne Street are listed as “optimal viewing sites’ for the fireworks.

EVEN MORE MUSIC

While there will be plenty to do at Bible Hill Recreation Park during the afternoon, another option is to catch local singer-songwriter Jackie Putnam doing her thing at Victoria Park.

Putnam, who will be playing from 2 to 4 p.m., said she is thrilled to be performing in front of audiences again.

“I am so excited and thankful to be performing again after this two-year pandemic,” she said. “I really missed seeing faces, being able to entertain folks, and the powerful positive energy I receive from

an audience when performing a live show.”

Putnam said the Canada Day show is an excellent leadin to a busy couple of months for her.

“With a lot of upcoming shows,” she said. “But I’m especially happy to be here in my hometown celebrating Canada Day at Victoria Park.”

Adding to the already music festival-like viewing options is the chance to see yet another major talent with Truro roots as Jenn Priddle takes to the Blunt Bartender stage as part of Hers & His, from 7 to 11 p.m.

“As a Truro native, I am incredibly excited to bring our duo to my hometown,” Priddle said. “It has been so exciting to see Truro expanding and thriving in fresh and innovative ways since I moved away more than 20 years ago. The opportunity to bring our act to the bustling community vibe that continues to grow means a lot to me personally.”

And performing during such a special day on the calendar also means a great deal to Priddle.

“Truro has always made Canada Day a grand celebration,” she said. “My family and I have frequently made it our July 1 destination as the festivities offered in ‘The Hub’ are not rivalled in our neck of the woods.

“Hers & His includes a great deal of the Canadian catalogue in our folk-rock repertoire; The Tragically Hip, Barenaked Ladies, Great Big Sea, Hillsburn, Amanda Marshall, and City and Colour. We’re looking forward to celebrating our nation’s birthday with a smattering of Canadian sing-along favourites.”