1,734 SQUARE INCHES OF PIZZA
Pizzeria creates Canadian flag pie
Get your party hats ready — Windsor and Essex County are throwing Canada a 150th birthday bash on Saturday.
Arcata Pizzeria on Dougall Avenue kicked the party off early Wednesday and created a 51-inch by 34-inch red and white pizza in the shape of a Canadian flag.
Owner Bob Abumeeiz said it was a challenge to get the dough the correct red colour and then stitch the three pieces together. He said putting the massive pizza into the oven was also a challenge.
“I’m a proud Canadian, I love this country so it was just fun to do this,” Abumeeiz said. “And honestly 150 years is a big deal.”
The pizza, complete with mozzarella cheese and red peppers, was given to the Downtown Mission.
Windsor knows no Canada Day celebration is complete without the singing of our national anthem. If you want to add your voice to the celebrations, head to the Festival Plaza on Windsor’s riverfront Saturday at noon to sing O Canada as part of a massive three-part choir. There will be a rehearsal first and the anthem will be officially sung at 1 p.m.
This year, 40 individuals from 13 countries will be sworn in as Canadians at the annual citizenship ceremony at 9 a.m. in the lobby of Adventure Bay.
“If you haven’t seen this ceremony it really is an incredible experience,” said Cathy Masterson, the city’s manager of cultural affairs.
The Windsor 125 public art installations will be shown at 10 a.m. in the parking lot of Adventure Bay. Masterson said the installations will provide a “quirky look” at Windsor over the years.
At 11 a.m., a Canada Day parade will leave historic Walkerville and head down Wyandotte Street East to Glengarry Avenue. Following the parade the Festival Plaza will be bustling with entertainment and activities along with the giant red and white birthday cake.
But Windsor won’t be the only municipality celebrating our national birthday. Here’s what’s happening in some of the surrounding towns in Essex County:
TECUMSEH
The fun kicks off Friday night at Lakewood Park with Border City Barkers Dog Agility group putting on a show beginning at 8:30 p.m. At 10 p.m. the skies over the park will light up with a firework display fitting for Canada’s birthday.
On Saturday at 1 p.m. opening Canada Day ceremonies take place at Lakewood Park followed by free family activities until 4 p.m.
Windsor Symphony Orchestra Brass Quintet wraps up the party on Sunday with a free concert at Lakewood Park from 1 to 3 p.m.
“We’ve really amped up things for this year’s celebrations,” said Brett Palmer, the town’s supervisor of recreation programs and events. “We added a whole weekend of events and we’re excited to get people out for this.”
LEAMINGTON
Leamington’s festivities start on Friday night with a Mill Street market and Block Party from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., along with live music at the Leamington Marina Patio at 7:30 p.m. Movie night kicks off at 9 p.m. with Dr. Strange on the big screen at Waterfront properties, 5 Foster Ave.
The Canada Day Parade begins at 4 p.m. Saturday, starting on Erie Street and heading toward Seacliff Park. Opening ceremonies are at 6 p.m., followed by live entertainment until 9:30 p.m.
At 10:05 p.m., Leamington will be launching its fireworks from a barge on Lake Erie to offer some of the most spectacular fireworks and the perfect ending to Canada Day.
KINGSVILLE
Festivities begin at Kingsville Arena at 7 p.m. with face painting, followed by fireworks at dusk.
The party continues from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, with horse drawn carriage rides, fantasy express train rides, magic shows and the Border City Barkers.
HARROW
Harrow will be painting the town red and white Saturday, with free celebrations at the Harrow Fairgrounds from 4 to 10 p.m. There will be live music, a complimentary barbecue at 5:30 p.m., bouncy castles, face painting and other activities for children. Fireworks will go off at 10 p.m.
AMHERSTBURG
The Canada 150 Canada Day celebrations begin in Amherstburg with the official Oh Canada D’eh Run at Fort Malden Park on Saturday, starting at 9 a.m.
The Ice Cream Festival will also take place Saturday and the town will pay tribute to 150 community leaders at the CANdo150 medal ceremony at 1 p.m. The day ends with a spectacular fireworks finale overlooking the Detroit River at dusk.
LASALLE
LaSalle will be celebrating the nation’s birthday on Saturday by unveiling its Canada 150 Mosaic mural at the Vollmer Culture and Recreation Complex, starting at 1 p.m. The mural is part of a Canadian project to celebrate Canada’s birthday. LaSalle is one of 13 communities in Ontario creating their own community mural representing a time capsule and an art masterpiece from the soul of the nation.
LaSalle will also open its new splash pad and playground at 2 p.m. at the Vollmer Culture and Recreation Complex. There will also be free swimming and ice skating.
LAKESHORE
Lakeshore will be hosting its Canada Day celebrations at the Millen Park Libro Community Centre.
The parade kicks off at 4 p.m. from Woodslee United Church to Millen Park, followed by live entertainment featuring a live tribute to Queen by the band Simply Queen. Fireworks are set to begin at 9:50 p.m.