Canada Day Celebration and Fireworks at Bayfront and Pier 4 Parks

Family fun, face painting, food trucks, and of course ... fireworks! These Canada Day delights are sure signs that summer has begun. Come celebrate Canada’s birthday this Friday July 1 at Bayfront and Pier 4 Parks! The City of Hamilton is pleased to welcome back RBC as a presenting sponsor for this exciting event.

Food vendors, free family-friendly activities and entertainment take place from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. at both Bayfront and Pier 4 Parks which are connected by a walking trail. New for 2016: True North Records will present an all-Canadian playlist to keep the Canadian pride going strong into the evening.

At Bayfront Park (200 Harbourfront Drive), visitors can experience interactive sports activities and a photo booth in the RBC Training Ground area, as well as face-painting and balloonists. The Hamilton favourite, Trulee Odd Show will be roaming with heart-stopping juggling and acrobatic feats. Performances by the Hamilton Aerial Group will dazzle audiences at 4 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Local artist Sylvia Nickerson will return with her expansive mural of Hamilton, where visitors are encouraged to help colour the city!

At Pier 4 (Leander Drive, west of Bay St. North), families can enjoy the Tugboat Playground, facepainting, balloonists, buskers, and skill-testing games at the Hamilton Bulldogs booth.

More food trucks than ever before will be onsite at both parks, serving everything from Beaver Tails to Mexican cuisine throughout the afternoon and evening. Food trucks are cash only.

Welcome Inn Community Centre’s Food Bank, which serves over 14,000 Hamiltonians annually, will be collecting donations and non-perishable food items at the Information Tents.

Fireworks will be launched from the north-west point of Bayfront Park. For safety, a section of the park and the Boat Launch will be closed from Thursday June 30 to Saturday July 2; cyclists and walkers are asked to respect the barrier. Visitors can see the fireworks from both parks, and from points around the harbour including Pier 8. The Canada Day Celebration runs rain or shine. In the event of high winds or lightning, fireworks only (no programming) will take place Saturday July 2. Cancellation Hotline July 1 only: 905-546-4646.

Canada Day draws over 35,000 people to the waterfront. Residents are strongly encouraged to walk, bike or take the free HSR bus shuttle as there is limited public parking available. Shuttle service starts at 4 p.m. and loops from John Street at King Street to Pier 4 Park. Route information is available at www.hamilton.ca/hsr. Secure bike parking service will be provided by Open Streets Hamilton at Bayfront Park. SoBi Hamilton Bike parking is also on site with extra bike racks installed for Canada Day.

Please note that personal fireworks, sparklers and smoking are not permitted in City parks. Please leave your pets at home for this event.

For more information about Hamilton’s Canada Day Celebration, please visit hamilton. ca/canadaday or call the Events Office at 905-546-4646.