Duane Hicks
Plans are shaping up for Canada Day.
The Fun in the Sun committee and others are working on a slew of activities for families to do here.
“We have been meeting every week now, planning for July 1,” committee chair Cynthia Donald told the Times earlier this week.
“Things are starting to come together,” she added.
The day will feature a fun run, parade, food and artisan booths, sandcastle building, a 3-on-3 basketball tournament, 4-on-4 volleyball tournament, family races and games, painting, bouncy castles, fireworks, and more.
A big part of the day will be the live entertainment taking place on a big stage.
“We’re now trying to firm up our schedule for the entertainment,” noted Donald.
“We will have a couple of local bands, plus ‘The Teflons’ from Kenora.”
Donald said the committee would like to be able to rent a big tent to provide some shelter from the sun.
But since it’s outside of their budget, they would be grateful if a generous sponsor helped out.
Another new activity this year will be the rental of paddleboats and canoes.
Donald said the committee would love it if someone would lend them a paddleboat for the day, as well as donate or lend them some adult lifejackets.
Want to help? Contact Donald at 275-9134.
You also can message the Fun in the Sun Committee Facebook group with any questions you have.
Coun. June Caul lauded the efforts of Donald and her fellow volunteers during Monday night’s council meeting.
“The Fun in the Sun/Canada Day committee, consisting basically of several teachers and teaching assistants, has been very enthusiastic about trying to reinvigorate Canada Day as a family day and a fun day for children,” she noted.
Coun. Caul said the committee has been working hard to raise funds, including hosting a social last month.
“They will have quite a few activities going on at the Point on Canada Day,” she remarked.
“I just want to give a big shout of thanks out to Cynthia Donald, Cathy Richards, and their whole group for the work they have done for Canada Day.
“It would be nice to see families having fun at the Point again,” Coun. Caul added.
What’s going on?
Canada Day will kick off with the local Legion Ladies’ Auxiliary hosting their annual pancake breakfast from 7-9:30 a.m. upstairs at the Legion.
A kids’ run will take place at 9:30 a.m. at the Point Park.
The Canada Day parade, organized by the Rainy River Future Development Corp. and the Town of Fort Frances, will begin at 11 a.m. at the Sorting Gap Marina.
It will move west along Front Street, north on Armit Avenue, then head west on Church Street, ending at the Legion.
Participants are asked to be at the marina to set up at 10 a.m., with this year’s theme being “An Olympic Celebration.”
To register a float or to participate in the parade, call 274-9621 or e-mail tara@rrfdc.on.ca
The fun then moves to the Point, where there will be food booths, artisans selling their wares, and sandcastle building starting at noon.
Then at 1 p.m., there will be a 3-on-3 youth basketball tourney at La Place Rendez-Vous.
The tournament is for Grade 6-8 students. Teams may consist of boys, girls, or a mix of both, but will be separated by grade.
Those interested in participating must contact Lyndy Coyle at 276-0583 or via e-mail at july1st3on3@gmail.com by June 24 to register their team.
Each player must have a signed permission slip from their parents/guardians.
There also will be a 4-on-4 beach volleyball tournament, organized by Amy Wilson-Hands, at Point Park on July 1 (co-ed), July 2 (women’s), and July 3 (men’s).
Check out “Canada Day Weekend 4s Beach Volleyball Tournament” on Facebook for more details.
Family races and games also will start at 1 p.m., along with an antique car show.
There will be a big stage set up featuring entertainment from 1-10 p.m.
From 2-5 p.m., there will be face-painting, bouncy castles, and boat rentals (paddleboats and canoes).
Then at dusk (around 10 p.m.), the annual fireworks display, overseen by Dave Coats, will ensure Canada’s birthday goes out with a “bang.”
