Canada Day is fast approaching.
For the first time since 2019, Canada Day is back as a fully in-person event in nearly every corner of the province. No matter where you go, there's sure to be plenty of pancakes, parades, and all the patriotic sights, sounds, and activities for you and your family to enjoy.
Fort Saskatchewan is poised to have a massive Canada Day comeback this Friday; all of those details can be found here. For those celebrating outside of the Fort, here's what's happening around the area this Canada Day.
Strathcona County
This year's Canada Day celebration in Strathcona County will take place at Broadmoor Lake Park. It will feature indoor and outdoor activities for all ages and live entertainment throughout the day.
The day starts at 9 a.m. with a pancake breakfast and stage show in the Community Centre Agora. At 10 a.m., activities begin at Broadmoor Lake Park. Festivities will wrap up at 11 p.m. with the Sobeys Lakeland & Nottingham fireworks display over Broadmoor Lake Park.
Some activities you'll be able to enjoy at the celebration include:
- Juno award-winners Tim & The Glory Boys hit the Imperial Stage at 9:45 p.m.
- Mammoet Just Play area, featuring different play zones including a garden, water fun, chalk, science, and more
- Field activities, including learn-to-camp, inflatables, carnival games, wagon rides and a circus workshop
- Storytime and meet and greets with Blue's Clues
- Stage performances by exciting local artists
- Activities for all ages include face painting, cabane à sucre, craft zones, free swim times, canoe rides and more.
Most activities are free, but others will require tickets or an Unlimited Access Wristband, which are on sale until Thursday (Jun. 30). Wristbands can be bought (cash only) at the information desk in Sherwood Park Mall and Recreation Administration office, Ardrossan Recreation Complex, Emerald Hills Leisure Centre, Festival Place, Glen Allan Recreation Complex, Kinsmen Leisure Centre, and Millennium Place.
Wristbands will not be sold on July 1; on the day, activity tickets can be bought for $1 per activity.
A free transit express shuttle will be available every 15 minutes from the Bethel Transit Terminal (650 Bethel Drive, Sherwood Park) to the front of Festival Place in Broadmoor Lake Park.
There will be no Canada Day parade in Sherwood Park year.
Morinville
The Town of Morinville will host a 'Picnic in the Park' themed celebration from 12 to 3 p.m. on Canada Day at the Ray McDonald Sports Grounds.
Morinville's free Canada Day celebration will include:
- Grand opening of the Morinville Splash Park – following formal program starting at 1 p.m.
- Live music – enjoy musical performances by local musicians
- Roving entertainers
- Inflatables and pony rides - sure to be a hit for the younger crowd
- Hamburgers and hotdogs (while supplies last)
- Cake to celebrate Canada's birthday (while supplies last)
- Canada Day-themed games and photo booth
- Draw for door prizes
This year, a special tradition will also return to the town; volunteers from the Morinville Historical and Cultural Society will deliver miniature Canada flags to residents early Friday morning.
Bruderheim
Bruderheim's Canada Day celebration begins with a pancake breakfast at the Bruderheim fire hall from 8 to 10 a.m.
Festivities at Gazebo Park begin at 10:30 a.m. with a Canada Day parade. From 12 until 1:30 p.m., bouncy houses will be on-site for kids to enjoy. Bruderheim Seniors will provide free strawberry shortcakes.
However, the star of the day's events will be a street renaming for Bruderheim's Olympic gold medallist and Team Canada women's hockey goalie, Emerance Maschmeyer. Maschmeyer will be available for photos and autographs from 12 until 1:30 p.m.
Bon Accord
Bon Accord is hosting a pancake breakfast from 10 a.m. to noon at the Bon Accord Arena. It's free but donations to the food bank are greatly appreciated.
Alberta Legislature – Edmonton
Canada Day celebrations are back on at the Alberta Legislature. From noon until 5 p.m., free entertainment for all ages will take place across the Alberta Legislature Grounds.
- Welcome Ceremony (Noon to 12:30 p.m.)
- Join Alberta singer/songwriter Andrea House at noon on the front steps of the Legislature Building to sing O Canada and kick off the day's festivities with official remarks on behalf of the Legislative Assembly Office and provincial leaders.
- Legislature Chamber Open House (12:45 to 4:30 p.m.)
- The Legislature Chamber floor is open to the public only on Canada Day. Visitors are invited to ascend the grand staircase to see where their MLA sits and marvel at the Chamber's iconic architecture.
- Legislative Assembly Visitor Centre (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
- The Legislative Assembly Visitor Centre, located on the main floor of the Edmonton Federal Building, just off Violet King Henry Plaza, will be open to the public on Canada Day. Visitors can enjoy the film Our People Our Province in the Pehonan Theatre, shop Capital Gifts and visit the Milestones exhibit in the Borealis Gallery to learn the stories of the Legislature and the role of parliamentary democracy in our province.
- Alberta Family Fun Zone (12:30 to 4:30 p.m.)
- The Alberta Family Fun Zone, located on the south grounds, will feature fun and interactive entertainment throughout the day, including Cree storytelling, roving characters, a magician, balloon-twisting and Taekwondo demonstrations.
- Alberta Diversity Stage (1 to 5 p.m.)
- Located on the Legislature South Bandshell, the Alberta Diversity Stage will celebrate the richness of our province's cultural landscape through the music and dance of some of Alberta's best multicultural performers, including Ukrainian dancers, Japanese drummers, Métis fiddlers and more.
- Alberta Discovered Stage (1 to 5 p.m.)
- The Alberta Discovered Stage, located on Violet King Henry Plaza, will present some of Alberta's best contemporary music, including performances by The Hearts, Nicely Put Together Band and Raygun Cowboys.
- Roving music (1 to 4 p.m.)
- Visitors can sing and dance along with Edmonton's premier brass party band, the Brasstactics, who will rove throughout the Alberta Legislature Grounds during the afternoon.
Getting to the Alberta Legislature Grounds
Public transportation is recommended as road closures will be in effect, and parking will not be available near the Legislature Grounds. Riding a bicycle is another great option, as bike racks are located all around the Alberta Legislature Grounds for the convenience of our visitors.
Enjoying the Day
Visitors are encouraged to come prepared to enjoy the day, pack sunscreen, bug spray, and lawn chairs, and dress according to the weather. A variety of food trucks and food stands will be stationed around the Legislature Grounds. Washroom facilities are available.