A proactive Happy Canada Day to everyone!
This year, Canada Day looks a little different in the city of Orillia. Because of ongoing construction at Couchiching Park, Canada Day is spreading out to a few different locations in the city.
On Saturday (July 1) from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Canada Day events will be happening at the Orillia Recreation Centre. There will be the traditional pancake breakfast at 8 a.m. and the Wheely Great Parade with the kiddos on their bikes at 10:30 a.m. There will be inflatables and other fun in the pool and gym areas.
The official opening will be 11 a.m. in the multi-purpose room, and Canada’s birthday cake will be cut there at 11:30 a.m. There won’t be the usual large parade, though. But the activities for the kids and lots of other Canada Day events and fun will be on tap.
Also, don’t forget about the downtown Orillia Farmers’ Market, which will be celebrating Canada Day with special face painting and glitter tattoos by Barrie Drawing and Painting, as well as other Canada Day specialties.
From noon to 10 p.m. join other Orillians for the Downtown Orillia Canada Day celebrations in the Couchiching Craft Brewery parking lot. Sponsored by Couchiching Craft Brewery and Alair Homes, Sunbelt Rentals, 89.1 MAX FM, Lone Wolf Café, Orillia District Arts Council, and the Orillia Museum of Art & History, and held in cooperation with Orillia’s Canada Day committee, this afternoon and evening event will have fun for everyone.
There will be live music performances and a DJ, a craft beer and beverage garden, a community art installation, a cafe pop up, drop-in family activities, and lots more.
Finally, the grand finale, fireworks over Lake Couchiching, will be held at 10 p.m. at Tudhope Park, which is not covered with construction vehicles and materials.
Canada Day 2023 might look a little different, but it’s still going to be a beautiful day of fun for the whole family here in Orillia.
Also this weekend? Live music at Couchiching Craft Brewery with James Gray on Thursday night from 8 to 11 p.m.; and Even Steven Friday night, same time.
See You on the Patio starts this Friday and runs every Friday and Saturday from 6 to 11 p.m., all summer long. Sections of the main street will be closed to traffic, and restaurants will have expanded patio dining options for all their patrons. As well, some stores will be out on the road, and there are special events planned around Mariposa Folk Festival, special Farmers' Market Night Markets, and more.
Finally, every Friday night all summer long from 6 p.m. to dark, Peter Street South will be closed to traffic, and you can take a special Art Walk along this arts district and check out the local galleries plus pop up art markets along the street. Come out and collect some unique art for your home or as gifts. Orillia’s art presence is really something to enjoy.
Don’t forget about the Orillia Opera House summer theatre series, starting July 5 with a world premiere of Moving In by Norm Foster. Tickets www.orilliaoperahouse.ca.
Have a wonderful summer week of fun and celebration and if you have arts news, send it to [email protected] by Tuesday at noon to be included.
