By Tammy Schneider
A full schedule of activities have been planned to help residents show their Canadian pride on July 1, using social media, television and some pre-Canada Day contests.
Keeping physical distancing protocols in mind, the Canada Day committee members, Brad Kirkconnell (chair), Holly Agnew, Eleanor Villena, Colleen Gillis (staff) and Kelly McDonald (staff) have organized a day-long celebration for all ages.
Before Canada Day, three Canadian-themed contests are being held that can involve the entire family. Residents and business owners can participate in the best decorated house or dwelling and best decorated business contest. Young and old are invited to dust off their sidewalk chalk and get creative in the best sidewalk chalk design contest. Contestants are asked to email a photo of their works of inspiration to canadaday@kincardine.ca by Friday, June 26 or by calling 519-396-2731, if there is not access to email. There will be prizes for first, second and third place in all contests and the winners will be announced on July 1.
On Canada Day, Rogers Community Channel and Bruce Telecom Community Channel will provide coverage of the raising of the Canadian flag by Mike Walsh, which will follow greetings from the committee, an address from Mayor Anne Eadie and the singing of O’Canada. Following the official ceremony, a 25-minute balloon magic show featuring Drew Ripley, and a performance by local musician Steve Deer, playing everyone’s favourite Canadian hits, will follow.
Rogers will air the segment at 9:30 a.m., noon, 4:30 p.m., 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. on channel six, or at www.rogerstv.com/kincardine. Bruce Telecom segments will run at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. on channel 1.
Head to Facebook at 7 p.m. (facebook.com/kincardinelegionbranch183) to participate in Red and White Trivia, hosted by quiz mistress Laura Haight. Trivia questions will have a Canadian theme and there will be prizes provided by the Canada Day committee.
It wouldn’t be Canada Day without fireworks, and this year, thanks to the snapdHUB app, the pyrotechnics can be enjoyed any time after 8 p.m. Download the app to your device, and enjoy the display from the comfort of your own backyard. The fireworks will also be available for viewing on YouTube. Prior to the fireworks, on June 15, the app will feature “May Canadian Moments.”
“We are thrilled to be able to celebrate this great nation, together in spirit, from the safety of our own homes,” said committee member Kelly McDonald. “We thank the Kincardine Canada Day Committee for providing some amazing ‘virtual’ programming that will engage the community at a time when we maybe need it the most!”
“We thank you all for doing your part to keep the health and safety of our community a priority, and we can’t wait to see pictures of your family enjoying some (or all) of these activities! Happy Birthday, Canada!”