Petrolia residents can begin celebrating Canada Day bright and early this year with the return of in-person festivities.
Recent past celebrations across Sarnia-Lambton were cancelled or adjusted due to COVID-19 restrictions.
"It's honestly very exciting to return in-person," said Director of Marketing, Arts, and Communications Laurissa Ellsworth.
The fun will start at 7 a.m. on July 1 at Bridgeview Park with the Kids Fishing Derby. Children of all ages are welcome to participate but are encouraged to bring their own fishing gear.
A Canada Day breakfast will be held at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 216 from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. The Canadian flag will be then raised outside of the legion at 11 a.m.
The traditional Canada Day parade will begin at 2 p.m. It will start at Greenfield Street and travel west on Petrolia Line, down to Greenwood Recreation Centre. Parade participants are encouraged to pre-register by contacting Thera Wagner at (519) 882-2350 ext. 253 or twagner@petrolia.ca.
Following the parade, children's activities will be set up at Greenwood Park along with Rock the Park bands.
A familiar family-fun race will also return to downtown Petrolia, beginning at 4 p.m. The bed-races were reintroduced in 2017 by former Councillor Mary-Pat Gleeson.
"It's exactly what it sounds like," laughed Ellsworth. "You take a bed, you put some wheels on it, and decorate it as you wish. You have to have a rider wearing a helmet and four pushers, and you run the course, and the fastest bed wins."
Rules and details about the race can be found on the town's Facebook page.
A fireworks display will begin at dusk at Greenwood Park. Hull Bus Lines will provide free shuttles, starting at 6 p.m. Ellsworth said residents can expect a slightly larger show this year compared to previous years.
In terms of food and drink options, the Petrolia Scouts will be selling ice cream at Greenwood Park from 3 p.m. until 9 p.m., the Petrolia Lions food truck and the Lambton Central Petrolia Optimist Club food booth will be open until 11 p.m. Lastly, the beer gardens will be available until 11 p.m.
A 50/50 raffle to support the Rotary Club of Petrolia will take place until 10 p.m.
Residents can also take part in a "wild goose chase" virtual scavenger hunt. The Town of Petrolia will share further details about it and the app at a later date. In honour of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, most questions will be history-based.
In Sarnia, celebrations return to Canatara and Centennial parks. The day's events begin with the traditional parade at 11:30 a.m. from the intersection of Lakeshore Road and Colborne Road, ending at Canatara Park. Other highlights include multicultural food vendors, inflatables and the handmade market. The day's festivities will conclude with fireworks at 10 p.m. off the bay.
Lakeshore Road and Christina Street will be closed at 9 a.m. on Friday from Indian Road to the entrance of Canatara Park for the duration of the Canada Day Parade.
Front Street in downtown Sarnia will be closed from 3 p.m. to 11:45 p.m. from Exmouth Street to London Road for Canada Day celebrations at Centennial Park.
Motorists are advised to obey all traffic signage and direction from Sarnia Police or Canada Day organizers.
In Lambton Shores, the party will begin at 5 p.m. at Esli Dodge Conservation area, with fireworks at dusk. At the Main Beach in Grand Bend, there's live music beginning at 7 p.m. on the Rotary Community Stage, with fireworks set for 10 p.m.
Festivities in Plympton-Wyoming are set for Saturday, July 2 at the Wyoming Fairgrounds, beginning at 3:30 p.m. with a kids parade from McKay Park.
- With files from Stephanie Chaves