Don’t fret that the weather forecast calls for showers on Canada Day.
All three of the Tri-Cities are hosting virtual celebrations of Canada’s 153 birthday with special events and activities being streamed on their websites all day long, as the usual public festivities have been cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Here’s what they have planned:
Coquitlam
Coquitlam kicks off its online festivities on coquitlam.ca/canadaday at noon with a welcome parade, remarks by local politicians and singer-songwriter Dani Black’s rendition of O Canada.
That will be followed by seven hours of pre-recorded and live programming, including children’s music, Scottish dancing, magic, country and multicultural performances. There will also be workshops conducted by the Maple Leaf Circus, family activities and demonstrations by artisans, local organizations and city departments.
The city is also encouraging its residents to celebrate the holiday with local businesses through a variety of special offers.
Port Coquitlam
Port Coquitlam is inviting its residents to participate in a city-wide singing of O Canada at 7 p.m., as part of the nightly cheer for front-line workers, and then stick around for a virtual fireworks display at 10 p.m.
That caps off a busy day of real and virtual activities that include a drive-thru barbecue hosted by the PoCo firefighters at their #1 hall, 1725 Broadway St., Proceeds from each $10 sale of a burger, chips and a drink goes to their charitable society. It runs from noon to 4 p.m.
The PoCo Heritage Museum is also running a special Canada Day scavenger hunt that will challenge participants with questions about local history and sites in the city’s downtown. Prizes will be awarded.
Residents are also being encouraged to host virtual block parties by gathering through video conferencing apps as they enjoy a variety of online entertainment from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Links and more information can be found at portcoquitlam.ca/canadaday.
Port Moody
Port Moody’s online activities include:
- A special 153-second workout by two of the city’s fitness instructors as well as a chance to win “I heart Port Moody” swag by sharing and tagging @cityofpomo photos of your recreation activities on Instagram.
- Prepare some summertime recipes like black truffle deviled eggs or roasted beet salad that have been provided by local businesses. There’s also a kid-friendly recipe for play dough, that probably shouldn’t be eaten.
- Family-friendly activities like a word search, trivia quiz, colouring sheets and puzzles that can be downloaded and printed out at home.
- Canada Day greetings from Mayor Rob Vagramov and council, MP Nellie Shin and MLA Rick Glumac.
- A story time from Port Moody public library.
- Virtual concerts by Martin Mayer, Jamie Bonk, Traci King and Joyelle Brandt.
- A sing-along of O Canada that will be held at 7 p.m.
As well, a medley of red and white images submitted by residents that have been assembled by Port Moody’s resident artist Sara Graham into a special work celebrating Canada will be unveiled online, and there will be links to activities being hosted by the Golden Spike Days Festival, Port Moody Arts Centre, Station Museum and the city’s police and fire departments.
All the activities will be posted July 1 at portmoody.ca/canadaday.
