Most of Essex County's communities are welcoming people back for in-person celebrations of Canada's 155th birthday Friday.
Specific information on each municipality's events can be found on their official websites, by clicking on the community's name.
A whole day of activities is planned at several locations in downtown Amherstburg.
Toddy Jones Park will host a cupcake party, food trucks, Mighty Machines, Super Heroes and Magicians, the Amherstburg Community Mosaic Mural, and a performance by the River Town Dance Academy. The park's splash pad will open at 8 a.m., and the Running Flat Canada D'Eh 5K Run will start at the park at 9 a.m.
Open Air Weekend on the streets of downtown begins at noon and will run through Sunday.
The evening celebration begins at 6 p.m. at Navy Yard Park, with live music and a magic show. The day will be capped by a fireworks display at sundown.
The Town of Kingsville is planning an all-day Canada Day party at Kingsville Arena.
Beginning at 11 a.m., visitors will be treated to food and drink vendors, live entertainment, a bouncy castle, face painting, arts and crafts, pony rides, and rides on the Kingsville Express.
A fireworks display will take place at 10 p.m. on the soccer pitch off Kratz Road.
The Municipality of Lakeshore is inviting residents to a Canada Day celebration in Woodslee starting at 3 p.m. Friday.
That's when the Canada Day Parade steps off at Woodslee United Church. It will proceed down County Road 27, turn east onto South Middle Road, before heading into the Libro Community Centre and Millen Park.
At Millen Park, a slate of events kick off at 5 p.m. with a flag-raising and dedication of a new pavilion and trail. Live entertainment, refreshments, and other activities will then continue through the afternoon and evening.
The tribute band Paying Cash will perform at 7:30 p.m., leading up to a fireworks display at approximately 9:50 p.m.
The Town of LaSalle has not planned a community Canada Day party, but those who love fishing are invited to a fishing derby Saturday, July 2, at Front Road Park.
The derby will run from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in celebration of Ontario Family Fishing Event Week. Fishing poles and nets will be provided for those who don't have their own, though people are strongly encouraged to bring their own equipment.
The event will also include displays and giveaways.
Parking for the fishing derby will be available at the public lot on Adams Lane.
The LaSalle Outdoor Pool will open for the season on Sunday, July 3.
The Municipality of Leamington will have a free evening of live music on Canada Day.
The tribute band Leave Those Kids Alone, followed by Mary Newland and The Blue Bayou Band, will play the Leamington SUNSET Amphitheatre starting at 8:30 p.m. Friday. A fireworks display will begin at 10 p.m.
The Town of Tecumseh is planning its birthday party for 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Friday at Lakewood Park South.
Free hot dogs will be given out while supplies last, and kids can participate in arts and crafts, putt-putt golf, and a bouncy castle. There will also be live entertainment and more.
The Canada Day party is a prelude to Tecumseh's 100th Birthday Festival, which begins Saturday and runs through Monday.