London

London Celebrates Canada Day

Canada Day events are taking place all around the city on Wednesday, July 1, as our country marks its 148th birthday.

It is a stat holiday so banks, government offices, major malls and most retailers will be closed. Most Beer and LCBO locations will be closed but The Labatt retail store at Richmond St. and Horton St. will be open from 11am-6pm. They're also offering brewery tours throughout the day, which can be pre-booked by calling (519) 850-8687.

The City of London Canada Day celebration begins at noon with a First Nations Gathering on Wednesday in Harris Park and continues until the fireworks display at 10pm. Admission is free. Performers include children's entertainer Glenn Bennett, Sarina Haggarty with Ben Heffeman, The Dan Howler Band and Cheryl Lescom. The Western Fair District presents the Rise 2 Fame Youth Talent Search at 7pm. There will be birthday cake, tree planting and other activities and performances.

A piece of Dundas St. will be closed on Canada day until 9pm, from Ridout St. to Riverside Dr..

A free Canada Day party in South London includes the grand reopening of the South London Community Centre/Jalna Branch Library.  The library is open to self-guided tours from 2pm-5pm and a ribbon cutting ceremony at 4:30pm. In White Oaks Park, live music starts at 2pm with Big Bang and continues through the evening with The Geoff Masse Band. Fireworks will go off at 10pm. Food is available from local service clubs for a nominal fee.

The Optimist Club of East London's celebration begins at 11am at Argyle Arena and includes a long list of free activities including a live music, a reptile show and mini zoo, classic cars and free flags for the first 1,000 people. Fireworks hit the sky at 10pm. The Optimists have a Facebook page dedicated to the event.

Canada Day celebrations in St. Thomas begin at 8am with a Lions Club pancake breakfast. All activities take place at Pinafore Park, 95 Elm St.. The full schedule is HERE. 

The City of Woodstock will mark Canada Day in Southside Park from 2pm-10pm with a fireworks finale. Activities include kids' rides, a crafter's alley, local food vendors, live music and pony rides.

Canada Day at Fanshawe Pioneer Village is still called Dominion Day. Return to July 1, 1867, Canada's birthday, between 10am-4pm.

Eldon House offers tours of the house and grounds as well as special entertainment to mark Canada Day. Although admission is free, a donation is appreciated. Eldon House will be open from noon-5pm.

The London Children's Museum has a full program of activities for kids including beach ball basketball, and the creation of their own fizzling fireworks show on paper. The Museum will be open 10am-5pm.

The London Majors will play a Canada Day game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Labatt Park. Both teams have a 10-8-0 record. Game time is 6:05pm.

 

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