Riverside Park

Riverside Park will be the place to be on July 1 as the Rotary Club of Guelph will be running this year’s Canada Day festivities for the 20th consecutive year.
The evening will come to a dramatic end with fireworks at 9:50 p.m., celebrating Canada’s 145 years as a country.
There will also be lots to do during the day. Carousel, train and pony rides, alongside a petting zoo with goats, lambs and bunnies, will be available for the youngsters.
Stage entertainment includes a live Zumba workout and musical performances from the Royal City Big Band, the Overtones and Jets to the Ground, among others.
Players from the Guelph Storm will be on hand signing autographs and competing against fans in a shoot-out. Face painting, a putting green, and environmental and art displays will all be showcased on Sunday. There will also be free sunscreen samples.
Seniors can get into the action as well, with bingo and Canadian trivia available in the seniors tent.
Riverside Park will also be the setting for over 20 new Canadians as they get sworn in as official citizens during a ceremony.
At 9:15 p.m., the Rotary Club of Guelph will unveil the $250,000 grand prize winner in its dream lottery.
The Rotary Club of Guelph-Wellington will be running the annual Canada Day duck race down the Speed River for the 23rd year.  The first-place duck will win a prize for a lucky ticket holder.
The day starts at 11 a.m. and finishes after the fireworks. The Rotary of Guelph has been running Canada Day for the last 20 years and has made it Guelph’s largest civic festivity. Michele Richardson, the chairperson of this year’s Canada Day event, said she expects 30,000 to 40,000 people to show up.
“It’s the volunteers that make the day,” she said.

McCrae House

Celebrate Canada Day at McCrae House on Sunday, July 1st from noon until 4 p.m.  “Our Canada Day festivities offer fun for the entire family,” says Val Harrison, Coordinator of Public Programs. “Visitors can enjoy a variety of heritage military displays and demonstrations, musical entertainment, Highland and Irish dancing, outdoor games, and, of course, birthday cake!”

Well known local musician James Gordon will serenade the crowd while students from the Mary Ellen Cann School of Highland Dance and The Royal City Academy of Irish Dance kick up their heels to demonstrate traditional dances. Military artefacts and uniforms of the Civil War, First World War and Second World War will be on display, including a War of 1812 encampment. The afternoon program also includes a musketry demonstration and members of the John McCrae Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion and the local Cadet corps will be on hand to answer questions.

For hands-on experiences, visitors can create Home Front crafts with the Canadian Embroiderers Guild of Guelph, browse through the selection of Canadian military books at the Laurier Centre for Military and Strategic Disarmament Studies table, meet author Doug Larson, or try out some historic games like quoits and stilt walking.

McCrae House is located at 108 Water Street.  Admission to the Canada Day event is by donation.  Contact Guelph Museums at 519-836-1221 or visit guelph.ca/museum for more information.

Performance Times for Canada Day 2012

12:00 – James Gordon and Sons

12:30 – Mary Ellen Cann School of Highland Dance

1:00 – Musketry Demonstration

1:45 – Royal City Academy of Irish Dance

2:15 – James Gordon and Sons

2:45 – Musketry Demonstration