Fireworks (© Can Stock Photo Inc. / Senohrabek)Fireworks (© Can Stock Photo Inc. / Senohrabek)
Chatham

Fireworks Aplenty Outside Of Chatham

There won't be any official fireworks celebrations in Chatham for Canada Day, but several other communities in the area are stepping up to fill the void.

Tom Cogghe helped to organize the fireworks show and the other events to celebrate July 1 in Wallaceburg. He says about 6,000 people usually show up.

"We did get a little overflow from last year," says Cogghe. "We're expecting some more this year, but you never know."

Last year's fireworks show in Chatham was cancelled because organizers couldn't come up with enough money to cover the costs. But that's not an issue in Wallaceburg, where they've been running a series of fundraisers to make sure the event goes ahead.

"I think last year and this year we're going to run between $23,000 and $25,000 -- it's no small feat, it definitely takes a lot of time and money to put on an event like this," says Cogghe. "We try to work on this all year -- it's something we're fond of because we did it as young kids too, growing up in Wallaceburg, so it's something we didn't want to see go away."

The party starts in Wallaceburg at 3:30pm with opening ceremonies, welcome speeches, and cake. There will also be free children's activities following that from 4pm-8pm and a pie eating contest at 7pm.

The fireworks in Wallaceburg will start at dusk.

Tilbury

The Tilbury BIA is hosting Canada Day Fireworks at Memorial Park on Stewart Ave. in Tilbury on June 30.

The celebrations start at 7pm with fireworks starting at dusk. The rain date for that event is July 2.

Bothwell

The Bothwell Boosters are hosting this year's Canada Day celebrations in Bothwell -- they're running from 12pm to midnight in Victoria Park in Bothwell on July 1.

Blenheim

Glad Tidings Community Church on Chatham St. S. in Blenheim will be hosting Canada Day celebrations on July 1 from 6pm to 9pm with fireworks beginning at dusk.

Erieau

There will be fireworks starting at dusk on July 1 in Erieau.

Merlin

There will be free "Merlin Legion Family Fun Day" celebrations at the Station 17 Merlin Fire Dept. on July 2 from 4:30pm -10pm with fireworks at dusk. The activities throughout the afternoon/evening include a hot dog BBQ, an animal petting zoo, balloon art and face painting, and a magic show.

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