A mid-week Canada Day in WC

WEST CARLETON – Canada Day may happen on a Tuesday this year, but don’t let that stop you from joining the party, as there will be tons of things going on in West Carleton from this week on.

On July 1 Canada will turn 158-years-old (honestly, it doesn’t look a day over 158), and as far as celebrating inanimate objects’ birthdays, Canada’s is Number 1.

This year the party starts early in Kinburn as Fitzroy Township Historical Society (FTHS) is bringing you the Pre Canada Day Antique Show and Shine Saturday, June 28.

Head to the Kinburn Community Centre (3045 Kinburn Side Rd.) Saturday for a full afternoon of historic vehicles, great food and drink and live outdoor music as the FTHS hosts the Pre-Canada Day Antique Show and Shine from 1 to 5 p.m.

The FTHS will be organizing a great collection of vehicles which will feature all kinds of transportation including antique tractors, cars and trucks from 1900 to the 1960s.

Covered Bridge Brewing will offer beverages and there will be great food from the Upper Deck Food Truck “located a short walk from the community centre,” as well as Just Perogies. The bar in the newly renamed Dwight Eastman Community Hall inside the community centre will also be open.

Live outdoor music will be provided by Wendell Wilson.

Admission is free, but organizers will be accepting donations for the West Carleton Food Access Centre.

If it’s raining June 28, come on by Sunday, June 29.

Celebrate Canada while getting your weekend shopping done at the Carp Farmers’ Market, Saturday, June 28.

“This Saturday we’re celebrating Canada Day a few days early with flags, pins, tattoos and more,” Carp Farmers’ Market manager Katie Saumure released in a statement Monday (June 23). “Plus, you’ll be supporting more than 85 truly local Canadian vendors.”

The Carp Farmer’ Market always celebrates the special day, usually a little closer to the actual birthday, but you do what you can do. Usually there is cake, but the market might have blown it’s annual cake budget last Saturday when it celebrated its own 35th birthday.

There will be live music though, provided by EMTees. The market runs from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Carp Fairgrounds (3790 Carp Rd.), as it does every Saturday throughout summer.

While this year, Monday, June 30 is not an official holiday, we won’t tell if you take the day off, and you might want to as our neighbours in Pakenham will be hosting a Canada Day Eve party.

The Constance Bay Community Market will also host its monthly market Saturday, June 28. The market runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and you can bet there will be some Canada Day fun.

“Come out to Pakenham to celebrate Canada Day Eve, June 30,” Mississippi Mills staff released in a statement June 17. “Family fun for everyone.”

It’s a full evening of action. Line up of events:

• 4:30 p.m. – RBC Barbecue
• 6 p.m. – Bouncy Castles, Face Painting by MMYC, Korny Klowns, Birthday Bubbles, JB Arts t-shirt making, and the MM Fireman’s BBQ
• 7 p.m. – Canada Day Parade – We assume much like the Pakenham Santa Claus parade, it will be a double-lapper
• 8 p.m. – Chris and Mike Ryan and friends live in the arena
• Dusk – Fireworks!

“The Pakenham and District Civitan Club will be collecting donations for the Lanark County Hunger Stop during the parade,” staff said. “Don’t forget. The Canada Day, July 1, Pakenham Fireman’s Pancake Breakfast is at 10 a.m. in the Pakenham fire hall.”

For more information, visit www.mississippimills.ca/CanadaDay.

On the big day, Tuesday, July 1, which is an official holiday, come back to West Carleton and you will have a few things to do and eat.

The West Carleton Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 616, will host their annual Canada Day Pig Roast. Wear your read and white head to the Legion for the afternoon. Wendell Wilson and Mountain Turn will provide music starting at 3 p.m. and dinner will start to be served at 5 p.m. – pig roast and all the fixings.

The whole deal is $20 per person.

“Everyone welcome,” Legion volunteers said.

Just down the road at the Dunrobin Community Centre (1151 Thomas A. Dolan Pkwy.), the Dunrobin Community Association (DCA) will also be hosting their great big Canada Day celebration which, darn tootin’, includes fireworks.

“The DCA is inviting everyone to join them to celebrate Canada Day at the Dunrobin Community Centre,” DCA volunteer Lorraine Madore told West Carleton Online June 23. “The event will start at 4:30 p.m. and end with a fireworks display after sunset. We will have cake cutting at 5:30 p.m. with local dignitaries and a loud rendition of O Canada.”

It is expected Coun. Clarke Kelly and newly elected MP Bruce Fanjoy, along with MPP Karen McCrimmon will all help cut the Canada Day cake. 

“Guests will enjoy the music of Bill Wilson and Kevin Davis, along with special guest the West Carleton Connection,” Madore said. “The Rockin’ Dock is back with a range of gourmet food. New this year is Brown’s Bagels, Berries on Wheels, and Kinburn’s own Covered Bridge Brewery. Kit yourself out in your finest red t-shirt, get your elbows up and join the fun.”

Our neighbours to the west in Arnprior also put on one heck of a Canada Day celebration.

“Arnprior is known to be one of the best Canada Day Celebrations around,” town staff released in a statement. “From music to parades to fireworks and more, there’s something for everyone.

The fun starts early with breakfast at the Nick Smith Centre (77 James St.) from 8 to 11 a.m. at the Lions Pancake Breakfast.

At 10:30 a.m. register for the world famous Optimist Bobby Legault Children’s Bike Parade, which travels from John and Ottawa streets down to the park leaving at 11:45 a.m.

From noon to 5 p.m. there will be live music and family entertainment at Robert Simpson Park. Bands include Riverside Revival, Sam Stone, Wade Barras of Parliament of Owls and the Main Street School of Music.

The Galilee Centre will host its annual Strawberry Social from 1 to 4 p.m. The Rotary Mad Duck Race takes off from the Madawaska Boulevard Bridge at 2 p.m. and the fireworks display gets underway around 9:45 p.m.

“The fireworks display will be shot from the island by the weir located right in front of the Madawaska Boulevard bridge,” staff said. “The show will start at 9:45 p.m. and lasts roughly 20 minutes. Your best view points are from Hydro Park East or West, though the show can be seen across town.”

Access via the river will be restricted past piers 5/6 of the marina.

“Please respect the fire department in the boat patrolling and ensuring safety,” staff said.

Local business, Ottawa Valley Air Paddle, is hosting a Kaleidoscope Kayaking event during the show where you can watch the fireworks in a kayak that is lit up. Learn more and register by visiting their website.