Full slate of events at Wascana Centre to mark Canada 150
Hot air balloon rides, strongman competitions, horse and carriage rides, free pancakes and food trucks galore are just a few of the activities Reginans have to look forward to at Saturday’s Canada Day celebrations.
Taking place at Wascana Centre and the surrounding areas from 8:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., this year’s celebrations have a little bit for everyone.
Classics like the children’s stage, Plywood Cup and the living flag will take place again this year. New events, like the CBC Old Time Fair and a simultaneous drumming initiative will make their debut.
The Old Time Fair will have activities like bean bag toss, sack races and watermelon-eating contests. The drumming initiative, which will take place at 11 a.m. at the main stage area, will attempt to break a world record for simultaneous drumming and will be co-ordinated with groups across the country. Everyone is invited to participate and hand drums will be given out for those who don’t have their own.
Elizabeth Strom, who leads the Regina Canada Day committee, said the most exciting thing about organizing the events this year is seeing so many different communities come together.
“We’ve got a huge component of cultural groups that are involved ... and we’ve got a lot of First Nations groups that are going to be involved with everything from teepees to a round dance to a powwow demonstration to fiddler and jiggers,” she said.
Strom said celebrating indigenous people — who they are and what they’ve done for the community — is extremely important, possibly the most important part of the day. She also said a bigger budget due to Canada 150 allowed the committee to include many more groups this year.
The Cultural Village bandstand and the sports area will be much bigger than last year, with more performers and sports demonstrations in cricket, lacrosse, Zumba and more.
Strom suggested checking out the first-come, first-served tethered hot air balloon rides, free pancake breakfast and the rock climbing wall, as well as a round dance that will follow the living flag.
“I think that’s a cool, unifying experience. I love round dance. I just find it a very emotional event. So I think that’ll be really fun to be a part of,” said Strom. “I just really hope that this day celebrates everything good about our city — what a fantastic community we have of people that really love their city.”
With limited parking, people are encourage to take advantage of the free transit being offered all day. Buses will be dropping off passengers at College Avenue in front of the Royal Saskatchewan Museum. For those who intend to drive, Albert Street will be restricted from College Avenue to McCallum Avenue.