With Saint-Jean-Baptiste celebrations just barely in the rear view mirror, Pontiacers are turning to the next holiday that every year serves as the unofficial launch of the summer – Canada Day.
This year, patriotic residents have an array of options for celebrating.
Saturday, June 29
The community of Ladysmith will be hosting a Canada Day celebration at the Thorne Community Recreation Association (777 Route 366) from 1 to 10 p.m.. There will be a BBQ and canteen, face painting, bouncy castles, games and live entertainment by the Dukes of Charteris. Only cash payments will be accepted. Proceeds will go toward the start-up of the Ladysmith Recreation Association.
Sunday, June 30
Quyon’s Canada Day celebrations will roll out on the tail end of Quyon’s Pontiac Country Festival, which is happening all weekend. The festivities will begin at 7 p.m. with a parade leaving from 850 Clarendon Street and ending at the community centre. There will also be family games, and a fireworks display at dusk.
Sand Bay will host a Canada Day celebration at its ballpark from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. which will include face painting and a pop up market. Leaving plenty of time for an afternoon siesta, the evening party will begin at 7 p.m. and feature live music from local band Dukes of Charteris.
Norway Bay will be hosting its summer kick-off chili cookoff at Centennial Hall, starting at 5:30 p.m. The cost is $10 a person, and attendees are encouraged to wear their finest Candiana or western regalia.
Mansfield will be celebrating its 175th anniversary all weekend long, with festivities beginning Friday. It will feature all sorts of musical and dance performances, family games and contests. While not specifically celebrating the national holiday, the event will culminate with a fireworks display scheduled for 10 p.m. on Sunday evening.
Monday, July 1
The community of Otter Lake is hosting a Canada Day celebration at the Otter Lake Recreation Association (394 Tessier St.) from 2 p.m. until late. The festivities will kick off with a parade at 2 p.m., and will be followed by live music from 3 to 7 p.m. There will also be a BBQ and bar. The celebrations will end with a fireworks display starting at dusk.
Shawville will kick off the day with a Lions Club breakfast at 8 a.m., followed by a parade at 1 p.m. A flea market will be held at the arena between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. According to the event’s Facebook page, there will be “treasures of all kinds.” All proceeds to Dr. S.E. McDowell elementary school. Shawville celebrations will crescendo with a fireeworks display at dusk.
Sheenboro’s Canada Day festivities start at 9 a.m. with mass. Then, at 9:30 a.m. there will be a community breakfast followed by a silent auction. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. there will be children’s games, a clown, a petting zoo, and an astronomy station. There will be a barbecue lunch and live music between those hours as well. At noon, the Sheenboro Canada Day parade will depart.
