Canada Day events will offer plenty of variety

SYDNEY – A national logging competition, an award-winning DJ and a concert from a wellknown country music star are all part of this years Canada Day celebrations taking place along the Port of Sydney this year.

The Cape Breton Regional Municipality’s recreation department has announced this year’s Canada Day weekend activities and there’s something for everyone. Activities begin at noon on June 30 with an Adventure Centre featuring bounce activities, an obstacle course, Velcro wall, mechanical bull and Chalk Master Dave who will create 3D chalk art.

The STIHL Timbersports Canadian Championships will hold their qualifying round on the waterfront in the afternoon and finals will be held on Monday, July 1, featuring 12 of Canada’s top timbersports athletes facing each other in an elimination bracket format. Competitions will feature chain saw, underhand chop, single buck and the standing block.

In the evening of June 30, DJ NDN, founding member of A Tribe Called Red, will be on the stage spinning tunes with fire performers. Ian Campeau (DJ NDN) is a speaker, father, advocate and ally. He is Nbiising, Anishnaabe from the Nipissing First Nation. As a founding member of A Tribe Called Red, he is a Juno Award- and Aboriginal People’s Music Award-winning musician. Most recently, DJ NDN performed in front of 50,000 people at Toronto’s City Hall New Year’s Eve celebration.

On July 1, the evening entertainment will feature three-time Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) Award winning artist Jason Blaine. Blaine is known for his hits like “Country Side,” “Cool” and 2012 Single of the Year “They Don’t Make ‘Em Like That Anymore.” Supporting Blaine will be local favourites Pretty Archie. Pretty Archie released their most recent album, “Hanging On,” over the winter and are set for a full slate of shows across Canada this summer.

The night will close with a fireworks display over Sydney Harbour at 10 p.m.