Virtual Canada Day celebrations planned across city
Despite COVID-19 restrictions, Calgarians will still have a number of ways, both in-person and online, to celebrate Canada’s 153rd birthday Wednesday.
The City of Calgary is offering a chance for people to enjoy the celebrations from home with a virtual concert from the rooftop of the King Eddy that will start streaming at 5 p.m. on the city’s Youtube and Facebook pages.
The concert, which was filmed last week, includes performances from Calgarians Paul Brandt, Lynn Olagundoye, T. Buckley, Chad Vangaalen and Bebe Buckskin.
At a news conference at Studio Bell Monday afternoon, Mayor Naheed Nenshi reminded Calgarians to practise social distancing at any event they attend and to take all other safety measures available to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
“These last few months have been tough and certainly there’s a lot to be worried about ... but you know what? It’s Canada Day. It’s time to celebrate what we built here not just in the face of this pandemic in the middle of all this threat and uncertainty, but what we built here for 153 years, building on thousands of years of Indigenous history on this land.”
The Calgary Tower will be lit at 10 p.m. and the city is encouraging residents to light up their own homes and yards, wear their favourite Team Canada jersey and have their own pancake breakfast to celebrate Canada Day.
The government of Canada has set up an opportunity for people to view a virtual fireworks display through an augmented reality app that will allow users to point their devices to the skies and see a three-minute fireworks show at 10 p.m. local time across the country.
In Strathmore, Western Canada’s largest Canada Day fireworks show, Heckya.ca in partnership with Globalfest, will be set off in Lakewood of Strathmore (now postponed from July 1 to July 2, due to expected rain) at 11 p.m. It is a “zero attendance event,” so people can watch online.
In Airdrie, a Canada Day home decorating contest will take place July 1 to allow residents to get into the spirit.
Special citizenship ceremonies on Canada Day will be taking place virtually across the country with a chance for Canadians to watch from home by registering to receive a link for the 12 p.m. MST ceremonies.
In addition to online events, attractions across Calgary open for visitors on Canada Day include: The Calgary Zoo, Heritage Park, the Calgary Tower, Skyline Luge, Calgary Farmyard, Cobbs
Corn Maze, Butterfield Acres, the Lougheed House Gardens and the Reader Rock Garden. Many attractions have new attendance restrictions in place, so check with venues ahead of time regarding availability.
In Banff, Parks Canada is looking forward to visitors, but notes “all visitors should expect a different experience from previous years,” according to Parks Canada visitor management officer Lesley Matheson. “Visitors should expect increased signage, limited services and experiences, and limited parking at popular locations to help ensure physical distancing is maintained.”
The Youth Singers of Calgary (YSC) are inviting families to take part in their online music sing-along at their Facebook and Youtube pages at 7 p.m. on July 1.
Calgary’s Muslim community is inviting all Calgarians to join their virtual Canada Day celebrations at celebratecanada.ca starting at 11 a.m. Wednesday, during which special presentations will occur.
“Let’s make sure we don’t remember this Canada Day as an outbreak,” Nenshi said. “I am a proud Canadian from the tips of my toes to the end of my COVID hair and I am so happy that we are going to have a chance to celebrate what makes this place great, together.”