Happy birthday, Canada

A lot of festivities are planned in Annapolis for Canada Day.

Canadians celebrate the 151st anniversary of Confederation on July 1 and there’s no shortage of fun activities in store across Annapolis County.

Bridgetown

Bridgetown has a daylong schedule, starting with a pancake breakfast from 8 to 10 a.m. at the legion followed by an ecumenical church service in Jubilee Park at 10 a.m.

The Bridgetown and Area Garden Club will be set up for youth to plant things and then take them home to watch them grow. That’s from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the park. From 12 noon to 2 p.m. and from 5 to 6:30 p.m. there will be children’s activities at the park. Singer Caleb Miles performs from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the park and music continues from 4 to 5:45 p.m. with The Idle Threats.

From 2 to 4 p.m. is a free swim at Centennial Pool.

The park canteen opens at 6 p.m. with proceeds going to minor hockey. Then from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. is the Canada Day Ceremony with official welcomes, the cake cutting, cupcakes, and healthy snacks.

Face painting runs from 7 to 9 p.m. and more live entertainment with Sole Expressions Dance Company goes from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. and the Jill Boudreau Band is on stage from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. with the fireworks scheduled for dusk.

Middleton

In Middleton the town and Macdonald Museum join forces to celebrate Canada Day.

Events take place at the museum at 21 School St. from 1 to 3 p.m.

It all starts with the flag raising at 1 p.m. The band Test of Time will entertain the crowds on the museum’s large front lawn and the Middleton Fireflies will host a barbecue. The the museum will be mixing up free lemonade and cake and kids can play games and win prizes.

Annapolis Royal

The official Canada Day proclamation in Annapolis Royal takes place at noon on the steps of town hall, followed by greetings from the mayor and the raising of the flag and singing of the national anthem.

Young Company Productions performs Shakespeare by the Shore at the Amphitheatre at 10:30 a.m. and again at 2 p.m. Later at the same location the Kevin Davison Band performs from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. followed by more music from 7:30 to 9 p.m. by Rain Over St Ambrose.

If you’re looking for a unique Canada Day experience, the Community Kitchen Party on the Wharf from 4:30 to 6 p.m. is the place to be. Bring a picnic basket, get in line for a lobster roll, and dine on the wharf where tables have been set up. There will be 500 free lobster rolls and those attending are advised to bring salads, drinks, plates and utensils to make it a true feast. In the background you’ll hear the Kevin Roach Duo performing.

Other events take place throughout the day at Historic Gardens, Market Square, Fort Anne, and other locations around town. Don’t forget the cake cutting at 12:15 p.m. at the fort where numerous other activities take place from noon to 3 p.m. Also check out Port-royal from 1 to 3 p.m.

And if there’s a ringing in your ears around noon time, it’s the bell at St. Luke’s Church being rung 151 times starting at 11:50 a.m.

Bear River

Canada Day will be celebrated at Bear River Millyard Recreation at 1145 River Rd. from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Organizers are promising a day full of yard sale tables, music, children’s activities, contests, shows, games, a waterslide, and ending with fireworks.

The giant yard sale goes from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; there’s a hotdog barbecue from noon to 1:30 p.m.; a lemonade luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and face painting from noon to 3 p.m.

A special feature of the day will be ‘Ride the Waves on Canada Day’ with Basin Charter Boat Tours from 2 to 4 p.m.

There’s also open mike from 1:30 to 3 p.m. and the famous pie auction at 3:30 p.m. The official Canada Day ceremony is at 5 p.m. followed by a ham and bean supper at 5:30 p.m. The Canada Day cake cutting is at 6:30 p.m. The day concludes at 10 p.m. with fireworks.

Lawrencetown

Lawrencetown’s Canada Day celebrations always draw a big crowd and are very popular with the kids.

Events run from 1 to 3 p.m. at the fire hall and then 3 to 5 p.m. at the Lawrencetown Pool.

The afternoon will include a bike decorating contest, bouncy castle, musical entertainment, balloon twisting, fish pond, wall of water, bubbles, train and wagon rides, dessert foods by Pam, hot dogs provided by the Lions Club and refreshments.

Events move to the Lawrencetown Pool down Lawrencetown Lane and up Trout Lake Road from 3 to 5 p.m. for a swim at the popular village pool.

Port Lorne

The folks on the Fundy Shore will be celebrating Canada starting with the 10 a.m. service at the Baptist Church with Patriotism as its theme. From 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. everybody heads to the fire hall for lunch.

Then at 2 p.m. is the parade, followed by the parade awards and ice cream at fire hall, plus there’s a softball game in the field west of wharf.

At 4 p.m. there’s a barbecue in the field and later there will be a humongous bonfire on beach. At 10 p.m. they’ll light up the sky with what the locals call ‘the best fireworks around.’

Other Celebrations

-- Canada Day events also take place at Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site. There’s free admission and free cupcakes.

It’s also the official launch of the Friends of Keji Photo Contest and the Interpretation Programs for visitors of all ages.

-- Milford and area celebrate from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Milford and Area Community Hall with games and prizes for the kids, a barbecue, a birthday cake, and music.

-- At Cornwallis Park at Felker Hall Community Centre events run from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. with food at a nominal fee.

-- Melvern Square celebrates at the community hall from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. with a parade, flag raising, cake, barbecue, and soap slide.