Rainy weather won't dampen Canada Day
Published Wednesday July 1st, 2009
Moncton, Riverview, Dieppe each name rain locations for holiday activities
The wet weather won't stop Metro Moncton from celebrating Canada's 142nd birthday today.
Each of the communities has a variety of events that are sure to be popular with kids and adults alike, with or without the rain.
The Irving Group Moncton is hosting 'Whoa Canada!,' a day of live entertainment, inflatable games, food, and even an archeological dig.
Event co-ordinators are well prepared in the event of poor weather, so they have designated the Moncton Coliseum as the rain location for all events, except for the fireworks, of course.
But unless the rain is heavy, all events will still take place outside.
Celebrations begin at noon with an archeological dig at Bore Park, where kids can uncover their past through simulated digs and then interpret their finds. Sessions run until 5 p.m. but, in the event of rain, they begin at 3 p.m. at the Coliseum.
The Canada Day concert kicks off at 3 p.m. and runs until 9:30 p.m. in front of City Hall. Acts include Chris Mersereau & friends, Bluegrass Diamonds, Oumou Soumaré, Steve Waylon & Rebel Ridge, Dominique Dupuis, Angry Candy, and a special guest appearance by DJ Bones.
The Kidz PlayZone will take over City Hall Plaza from 3 p.m. until 8:30 p.m., with face painting, inflatable games and food galore.
And speaking of food, the Thomas Williams House will be hosting a tearoom with specialty teas, sandwiches, scones and strawberry shortcake from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The party ends with a bang at 10 p.m. with the annual Canada Day fireworks at the riverfront, followed by an after-party at Studio 700.
Parking downtown is free all day, and spectators are welcome to bring lawn chairs to enjoy the shows. There will be portable washrooms located in the City Hall parking lot.
But Moncton isn't the only city that knows how to throw a party. Dieppe's Canada Day festivities begin at 6 p.m. with live performances from Chuck et Albert at 6:15 p.m. and GTO at 7:30 p.m., both held at Place 1604, behind Dieppe City Hall.
Riverview Sunfest continues today in Caseley Park, with live performances by Harmonie Codiac Concert Band at noon, Alan Gerber at 1:30 p.m. and Steve Waylon at 2:45 p.m. Parents can take part in a silent auction for the IWK Health-Centre Foundation while the kids get swept away in pirate-themed events and games. Bracelets are $4 and cover all activities.
There will be cake, face painting, crafts, cotton candy and a barbecue for the Riverview Lions' Club. Sunfest officially ends with the tri-community fireworks at 10 p.m.
Parking is at Riverview High School. In the event of heavy rain, all activities move to the Byron Dobson Arena.
Sackville's festivities begin at 1 p.m. with the official flag-raising and singing of O Canada at the Bandstand in Bill Johnstone Memorial Park.
The Canada Day Multi K Fun Run & Walk begins at 1 p.m. and live entertainment begins at 1:20 p.m. with Del Wheaton & Friends and a skit by Festival by the Marsh.
Winnie the Pooh, Tigger and Louie the Clown will drop by for the kids, along with face painting, games, cake and a barbecue. The rain location for these events is the Tantramar Veterans Memorial Civic Centre.
The Bridge Street Canada Day Kitchen Party starts at 6:30 p.m. with performances by Naomi Doncaster, Kyle Legere, and La Famille Arsenault. Rain location is the Civic Centre.
Shediac's events take place at 2 p.m. at Parlee Beach, with performances by Lanteigne Brothers and Acajun at Rotary Park from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Fireworks begin at dusk.
To check cancellations or rain locations for Moncton, call 853-3516.
For Dieppe cancellations, call 384-3437.
Main Street Moncton will be closed from Sommet Lane to Mechanic Street between 7 a.m. today and 3 a.m. tomorrow for the festivities. Botsford Street will be closed from Main to Queen between 7 a.m. today and 3 a.m. tomorrow, but Alma Street, Sommet Lane, Mechanic Street and the Queen-Botsford intersection will remain open to traffic.
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At the same time, Canada is a great country and I believe that on Canada Day our flag should be flown proudly at full mast. I do not feel this would have been disrespectful to Mr. LeBlanc, but rather done in celebration of everything Canada stands for and to which Mr. LeBlanc dedicated is life.