Plan your Canada Day. Plus: Do our quiz.
For the first time, the Edmonton Journal will livestream the Canada Day fireworks display at edmontonjournal.com. But before you settle down for the big evening show, whether that be outside at a park or at your computer screen, don’t miss out on these fun events taking place in and around the city Monday. Gather up your red and white clothing, gimmicky maple leaf gear and fire up the barbecue: It’s time to celebrate Canada’s 146th birthday
Please note: Access to lowlying river valley trails may be closed and open trails should be approached with caution. Before entering the trail system, visit the website for current trail cautions and closures. www.edmonton.ca/ attractions_recreation/attractions/muttart_conservatory/ canada-day-at-the-muttartconservatory.aspx
L egi s latur e
Kick off your Canada Day celebrations at the Alberta legislature, where typically 40,000 people gather to enjoy free family entertainment, including musical and dance performances and games for children.
Tour the building and walk onto the floor of the chamber, an honour usually reserved for members of the legislative assembly.
The party starts at 7 a.m. and goes until 7 p.m. Welcome new Canadians at 10:30 a.m. at the legislature where there will be a special citizenship ceremony on Canada Day. For more information visit: www.assembly.ab.ca/visitor/PDF/2012/ CanadaDayEventFlyer2012. pdf.
Catch early morning runners showing their pride in support of the Canadian Cancer Society at the Canada Day Road Race. Races begin at 7 a.m. and finish on the south side of the legislature. There is still time to register at: www. events.runningroom.com/ site/?raceId=8720#racetimes.
City Hall
Free family activities will take place at City Hall from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, including aboriginal drummers, jazz music, bagpipers, tours of the building and a performance by singer-songwriter Martin Kerr at 2:15 p.m. The Works Art and Design Festival is also taking place at City Hall from noon to 5 p.m. For more information, visit: www.edmonton.ca/attractions_recreation/attractions/city_hall/canada-dayat-city-hall.aspx
Fireworks
Cap off your Canada Day celebrations with a spectacular fireworks finale in the river valley at 11 p.m. Good viewing locations include the grounds of the legislature, Victoria Park, Ezio Faraone Park, Dantzer’s Hill and Government House Park. For more information, visit www.edmonton.ca/attractions_recreation/festivals_ events/celebrate-canada-dayin-edmonton.aspx.
Par ks
Learn about the origins of our nation at Fort Edmonton Park, where visitors will be treated to a parade, music, games and historical vignettes. The event begins at 10 a.m. and goes until 6 p.m. For more information, go to www.fortedmontonpark. ca/events/dominion-day/
Enjoy free hotdogs, drinks, cake, face painting, live music and more at the sixth annual North Edmonton Canada Day at Borden Park. The fun begins at noon and goes until 4 p.m. Check out the Facebook page for up-to-date information: www.facebook.com/Canada. Day.North.Edmonton
Louise McKinney Park will be alive with music, dance, a waterfall show, carnival games, fireworks and more from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.
At Mill Woods Park, there will be plenty of free family activities starting at 1 p.m., as well as a fireworks display at 11 p.m.
Art gallery
Enjoy free admission to the Art Gallery of Alberta on Canada Day from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Canada Day inspired art activities begin at 11 a.m. and end at 4 p.m. For more information call 780-422-6223 or visit www.youraga.ca.
Mothe r nature
Swing by the Muttart Conservatory from noon to 4 p.m. for a green-themed Canada Day. Learn about composting, take a compost bag home, search the pyramids for Canadian symbols and enjoy a themed treat. There will also be live music by the Cosmopolitan Music Society, crafts and face painting. Regular admission prices apply. For more information, visit www.edmonton.ca/attractions_recreation/attractions/muttart_conservatory/ canada-day-at-the-muttartconservatory.aspx.
If you want to spend Canada Day with animals, head to the Edmonton Valley Zoo, which will be celebrating its 54th birthday on Monday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Zookeepers will also be feeding Lucy the elephant a giant maple-flavoured red-and-white Popsicle for her 38th birthday. Learn about the Canadian animals at the zoo, eat some cake, join in a scavenger hunt and partake in some hands-on science experiments.
To buy tickets in advance, visit www.edmonton.ca/attractions_recreation/attractions/edmonton_valley_zoo/ canada-day-at-the-edmonton-valley-zoo.aspx
culture galore
On Canada Day, enjoy free entry to all of Canada’s national parks, national historic sites and national marine conservation areas. The Canada Day festivities at Elk Island National Park take place from noon to 4 p.m. at Astotin Lake, featuring a performance by Ghost Cousin, Parks Canada interpretive programs and lots of family fun.
Celebrate Canada’s birthday and the Telus World of Science’s 29th birthday Monday from 11 to 3 p.m.
There will be a large range of fun and engaging activities, including a series of rocket launches.
For more information visit: www.telusworldofscienceedmonton.com/exhibits-events/ events-calendar/canada-daycelebrations-0.
Celebrate at the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Travel back in time and visit with historical interpreters. The village is 25 minutes east of Edmonton on Highway 16. For more info visit: www.history.alberta. ca/ukrainianvillage/specialevents/specialevents.aspx.
Head to the Chinatown Multicultural Centre, 9540 102nd Ave., for a Heritage Chinatown Night Market from 4 to 9 p.m. There will be traditional entertainment, arts and gift sales and food trucks.
The Boyle Street Community League will be hosting a free barbecue from noon to 2 p.m. at the Boyle Street Plaza, 9538 103A Ave.
Surrounding comm uni tie s
Fort Saskatchewan holds its largest annual event on Canada Day drawing more than 10,000 people to Legacy Park to take in the daylong festivities. Admission is free although there may be a cost for activities like face painting and inflatable slides.
Bring the entire family and enjoy a pancake breakfast at 8 a.m., watch the parade at 11 a.m., dance to some great mainstage entertainment like Canadian rock band, Chilliwack, who will take the stage at 8:30 p.m. followed by a fireworks display. For more information visit: www.fortsaskcanadaday.ca/index.html.
The Town of Devon will host a Canada Day party with crafts, music, carnival games and children’s entertainment in Centennial Park from 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.
For more information, visit www.devon.ca/tabid/59/default.aspx?udt_667_param_ detail=97
Celebrations in St. Albert, expected to draw 10,000 people, will be held at Lions Park from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be interactive activities, horse and wagon rides and other entertainment. For more information, visit: www.stalbert.ca/ canada-day.
Spruce Grove’s Canada Day and Street Performers Festival starts at 8 a.m. with a $3 pancake breakfast and goes until midnight, with a fireworks display scheduled at 11 p.m. at Jubilee Park. Canadian classic rock band Harlequin will be headlining the Beaverbrook Main Stage. For more information, visit www.sprucegrove.org/programs_events/events/annual_events/canada_day.htm.
Stony Plain’s Canada Day party kicks off at 10 a.m. with a parade, followed by a citizenship ceremony at 1:30 p.m. and a cake-cutting ceremony at 3 p.m. These activities will be taking place in different locations, but a lot of the fun can be found at the Multicultural Heritage Centre, 5411 51st St. For more information, visit: multicentre.org/ wp/archives/2127.
Canada Day events begin at 9 a.m. in Strathcona County/ Sherwood Park in various locations. There will be a farmers market, parade and fireworks at 11 p.m. over Broadmoor Lake Park. Most activities are free, but some require a ticket or wristband. For more information visit: www.strathcona.ca/ Canada-day.aspx.
Dig into a Canada Day pancake breakfast at the Gibbons Seniors Dew Drop Inn, 4539 49th St., from 8:30 to 11 a.m. Flag raising and birthday cake will be given out at 8:30 p.m. at Gibbons School, 4908 51st Ave. After that, there will be an outdoor screening of The Lorax.
The City of Leduc’s got a big day planned with a pancake breakfast starting at 7:30 a.m., a parade at noon, wagon rides and a concert.
The night’s headliners are Glass Tiger and 54-40 who will be performing in the east parking lot of the Leduc Recreation Centre from 7:30 p.m. to 9:20 p.m. Fireworks start at 11 p.m. For more information, visit Leduc.ca or call 780-9807177.