Patriotic fun for all ages this Canada Day

Online and offline, many ways to celebrate our nation

Canada turns 153 this year, and despite social distancing, St. Marys is celebrating in grand style.

The fun has already begun, as entries have started to come in for the “Virtually Delicious” red-and-white baking content. The deadline is extended to end-of-day on Sunday, June 21 to allow all weekend kitchen warriors to submit their creations. Just take a photo of you with your baked good, and send it plus the recipe to events@town.stmarys.on.ca to be shared on social media for judging and great local prizes!

The ever-popular colouring contest returns this year. The design, again imaginatively created by Chet Greason, will be available to download on the Town website and Facebook page on Friday, and hard copies will be available from the St. Marys Museum mailbox and at the St. Marys Public Library during curbside pickup hours. It will also be in next week’s St. Marys Independent newspaper. Drop off your finished sheet at the lower level Church Street entrance of Town Hall or scan and email to events@town.stmarys.on.ca no later than 5 p.m. on Monday, June 29 to be eligible for prizes!

In next week’s St. Marys Independent, look for your free Canadian flag insert to hang in your window! Thank you to Heritage Canada for its ongoing support of Canada Day festivities.

Put on your thinking caps on Tuesday, June 30 as the Library and Museum team up for two online Canadian trivia offerings, live on the Library’s Facebook page. Kids’ trivia is at 3 p.m. and a families/adults edition at 7 p.m.

Come Canada Day, begin July on the right foot at 9 a.m. with “Canada Day Fun and Exercise with the Friendship Centre” on the Pyramid Recreation Centre’s Facebook page. Friendship Centre patrons will wish viewers a Happy Canada Day in a video set to music, followed by a 30-minute exercise video with Pauline, Ally and Andrea.

At approximately 11:30 a.m., step outside to enjoy a concert of Canadian music by St. Marys United Church’s Director of Music Tim Gilbert, on the Church’s historic carillon, which can be heard in many parts of town. The concert will pause just prior to 12 p.m. as a signal for all to come outside and join in the singing and playing of O Canada at noon sharp – a meaningful moment of community during these socially distanced times.

Join Mayor Al Strathdee and other dignitaries for an inclusive and safe flag-raising ceremony live on the Town’s Facebook page at 12:15 p.m. Mayor Strathdee will announce the winners of the baking and colouring contests after the flag raising.

Finally, at 1:30 p.m. turn up your speakers for a virtual concert on the Town’s Facebook page! Local group Harmony of Friends wowed the Cadzow Park crowd last Canada Day with its harmonies and decades-spanning repertoire. This one-hour concert will serve as a terrific backdrop for your afternoon, whatever your celebration may be!

Full Canada Day details are available at www.townofstmarys.com/canadaday.

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Contact

Andrea Macko | Events Coordinator
519-284-2340, ext. 249 | amacko@town.stmarys.on.ca