Manitoulin Island communities are hosting extensive Canada Day events, including parades, barbecues, markets, and fireworks across Little Current, Gore Bay, Assiginack, Central Manitoulin, and Billings.
MANITOULIN鈥擬anitoulin is gearing up for some great Island Canada Day celebrations.
The 128th Annual UCW Silver Water Picnic takes place Saturday, June 27 at 10 am. It鈥檚 an early start to the Canada Day celebrations at the Silver Water Hall. This year鈥檚 theme is 鈥淲est End Timber.鈥 There will be a barbecue with sausage and hot dogs and a parade at noon. Pie sale/ice cream, silent auction, face painting, fishpond, kids鈥 games/races, ball games. (Line up for the parade begins at 11:30 am.)
As is usual, downtown Little Current will be closed to traffic but abuzz with plenty of action on Canada Day, July 1, with children鈥檚 games and a bike parade on the main street, musical entertainment, the traditional Canada Day cake and vendors. The Expositor is sponsoring a best dressed Canadian contest.
Also in Little Current (down at Low Island), it鈥檚 the Canada Day 5k, hosted by Breakaway Sports and Cycle and the Northeast Town. This event offers a 5k run (with Masters, Open and U16 divisions) and a 1k kids鈥 run. Registration begins at 8:30 am, with the kid鈥檚 run at 9:15 am and the 5k at 9:30 am. Registration is $20 for the 5k and $5 for the kids鈥 run with proceeds benefiting youth sports.
Manitoulin Centennial Manor Auxiliary鈥檚 Yard Sale on Canada Day July 1 takes place at the Manor in Little Current. There will be lots of goodies for sale and more coming daily. Please come and support the Manor by buying something at the bake sale. Anyone can donate to the yard sale or provide baking for the bake sale.
On Canada Day, Gore Bay will see a pancake breakfast hosted by the Royal Canadian Legion (26 Phipps St.). Then, from 9 am to 3 pm, retail sales and promotions will take place at Gore Bay businesses along Meredith Street and Phipps Street. From 10 am to 2 pm, Betty鈥檚 Convenience Store will feature ice cream, slushies and a summer basket draw and at 11 am it鈥檚 the Canada Day parade. Starting at noon, there will be a Junk in the Trunk community garage sale. The lineup takes place in the parking lot right beside the Harbour View Pavilion (spots cost $10 to register).
Also, at noon there is a community barbecue hosted by the Western Manitoulin Lions Club, serving up hot dogs and drinks at the pavilion. From noon to 2 pm yard games and family-friendly activities will take place at the pavilion, while once the sun goes down it鈥檚 fireworks time down on the waterfront, organized and hosted by the Gore Bay Fire Department.
In Assiginack, Canada Day celebrations will take place at the Assiginack Fairgrounds from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm. There will be live music by Rural Roots, bouncy castles, outdoor games, facepainting and a free hot dog barbecue courtesy of the Assiginack Fire Department.
The Municipality of Central Manitoulin hosts its municipal Canada Day celebrations both at the Discovery Centre (24 Mutchmor St.) in Providence Bay and Mindemoya. In Providence Bay, from 2 to 5 pm it鈥檚 facepainting on the boardwalk; from 2 to 4 pm there will be kids鈥 games on the beach and from 5 pm to 7 pm there will be free cake and lemonade served at the Providence Bay Hall. From 5 to 6 pm there will be children鈥檚 storytelling and beginning at 7 pm live music by Saving Grace. Fireworks are scheduled for 10:15 pm over the water.
Ice Lake Canada Day Picnic will take place on Wednesday, July 1 at the Ice Lake Community Centre, 274 Pleasant Valley Road. Potluck lunch at 12 pm sharp. Kids鈥 games, races, prizes, bazaar and auction, concession stand. This event will feature an old-school country picnic, water games and activities.
The Township of Billings hosts its core Canada Day celebrations centered right in the village of Kagawong. From 10 am to 4 pm the Old Mill Heritage Centre and Museum opens with special historical displays and regional exhibits. From 11 am to 3 pm the Kagawong Market stalls feature local Manitoulin artisans, fresh baked goods, and summer snacks. At 1 pm there will be a community gathering and cake cutting at the waterfront pavilion, featuring a free Canada Day cake, refreshments and opening remarks from the Township Council. Sadly, the Bridal Veil Falls Trails system adjacent to the falls will remain closed due to flood damage.
South Baymouth鈥檚 Canada Day celebrations take place on June 27 and includes a barbecue breakfast from 9 am to 10:30 am; Junk in the Trunk and their ever popular and massive Donation Yard Sale from 9 am; a bake sale and silent auction from 10 am to 1:30 pm; a lunch barbecue; the parade starts at 1:30 pm; an annual fish fry dinner at 5 pm followed by fireworks at 10 pm down by the marina. The Tehkummah Fire Department is holding its fishing derby on the following Saturday and Sunday.
From July 2-5, the Central Manitoulin Lions Club is hosting its annual massive Homecoming and Manitoulin Ribfest celebrations. Located at the Mindemoya Ballfields (6032 ON-542), this multi-day festival continues the long-weekend celebration with food and drink, three professional national ribbers, an array of food trucks, and a licenced beer tent operating all weekend long. Live Music with featured headliners that include the Green River Revival (CCR Tribute band) and Beautiful Crazy (Luke Combs Tribute band). The traditional multi-vehicle Homecoming Parade moves through downtown Mindemoya, complemented by local children鈥檚 events and soapbox races. The weekend wraps up on Sunday, July 5 with the multi-sport Mindemoya Classic Triathlon (encompassing running, paddling and cycling events). An additional community fireworks display is hosted over the weekend to mark the homecoming. Central Manitoulin Summer Market takes place on June 30 and July 1 at the Mindemoya Arena. This two-day holiday market hosts over 70 local micro-business vendors specializing in handmade goods, direct sales, and local artisan products.