Live entertainment on stage, roving performers, a multicultural food fare and heaping helpings of birthday cake will stoke glowing hearts and community pride this Canada Day.
Celebrations happen Sunday (July 1) at Maffeo Sutton Park starting with a Celebration of Flags and opening ceremonies at 11 a.m. followed by the cutting of the big Canada Day birthday cake.
Everyone is invited to turn out in their national colours of red and white for a full day of fun and music.
Kumbana Marimba, Braden Marshall, Jayden Holman and the Nanaimo Tidesmen are a few of the performers in this year’s onstage entertainment lineup, but no matter where you turn there will be something going on with roving entertainers like Aunti Bobby, Zigster the Trickster, Illusion Entertainment Group and Vesta Fire moving through the crowds.
“New to the entertainment lineup this year is Kumbana Marimba,” said Cheryl Krytor, recreation coordinator. “They’re a nine-member marimba band. Their home town is Parksville and they play traditional African and South American music. They’ve been together six years.”
Aunti Bobbi is encouraging kids to reuse and recycle stuff they find around the house to make into instruments and noise makers and join the Reuse Marching Band with Aunti Bobbi and her Harp-a-Tuba.
Children can bring anything that makes noise and are limited only by their imaginations.
Interactive activities will keep the whole family entertained at booths sponsored by local businesses and organizations too.
Steve Marshall Ford, Arts Alive, Nanaimo Canoe and Kayak Club, Nanaimo Recycling exchange, Team Water Smart, the Regional District of Nanaimo, Nanaimo Organization for the Visually Impaired, Taoist Tai Chi, World Taekwondo, Georgia Strait Alliance, Nanaimo Astronomy Society, Nanaimo Science and Sustainability Society, RCMP Community Policing, Nanaimo Fire Rescue and the Miss Nanaimo Welcome Centre.
There will be a big inflatable slide and a bouncy castle at the park for children too.
Tin Tin Market, Greek Delight, K&K Hot Dogs, Dogzilla, Cedar 4H Club, Mini Donut Factory and the Nanaimo Hungarian Cultural Society will be offering food and snacks throughout the day.
Columbia Bakery has made its big Canada Day birthday cake again this year.
“It’s the size of an eight or 10 foot table,” Krytor said. “It’s huge and they do a beautiful job. They usually have it covered in strawberries. It’s a beautiful cake.”
Order of the Easter Star, Crescent Chapter No.10 has also donated 2,000 cupcakes.
“Everything is free for families, except for the food,” Krytor said.
The event runs 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
For more information about Canada Day celebrations, please contact Nanaimo Parks, Recreation and Culture at 250-756-5200.
