Canada Day in Nelson promises to be extra special
A birthday of 150 years doesn’t come along that often.
Which is why the Nelson Chamber of Commerce is promising an extra special Canada Day Celebration set for Saturday, July 1, at Lakeside Park — complete with Fireworks at dusk.
The Chamber has continually hosted this annual community celebration to allow Canadians in the Greater Nelson area the chance to wave the Red Maple Leaf in a community wide celebration.
One of the highlights (see schedule below) each year is the serving of our Canada Day birthday cake, followed with live music and all kinds of fun-filled activities for kids of all ages.
There is also free rides on Streetcar #23 sponsored by the Nelson and District Credit Union.
The entire day is organized by the Chamber of Commerce and sponsored in part by a variety of businesses as well as The City of Nelson, The Nelson Professional Firefighters.
Entertainment is lined up for the stage from 10:30 a.m. until 10 p.m., culminating with the annual tremendous fireworks display beginning at dusk.
There is something for the entire family with long standing participants such as the Heritage Harmony Singer, the Nelson Community Band and Baker Street Blues Band.
The Brenda McJones Highland Dancers, Playmor Junction and Mountain Station take to the stage before Big Mama Blue and Blue Snake close out the entertainment.
The Opening Ceremonies begin at 10:30 a.m. with welcome address by Chamber of Commerce Vice President Michael Borch followed by Nelson/Creston MLA Michelle Mungall and Nelson Mayor Deb Kozak’s Canada Day Address.
Also on hand is the Colour Guard by the Nelson RCMP, Nelson City Police, Nelson Firefighters and Nelson Rotary Club.
The Nelson Pilots Association will have a Fly Over during the ceremony.
10:30 a.m. — Opening Ceremonies: Chamber of Commerce President Michael Borch (Welcome) Mayor Deb Kozak Canada Day Address; Nelson-Creston MLA Michelle Mungall Nelson Colour Guard — Nelson RCMP, Nelson Police Department, Nelson Professional Firefighters, Nelson Rotary Club
(Schedule subject to change, all times approximate)
- 10:45 a.m. O Canada Heritage Harmony Singers
- 10:50 a.m. Heritage Harmony Barbershop Choir
- 11:00 a.m. Holly and Jon
- 11:45 a.m. Baker Street Blues
- 12:45 p.m. Nelson Community Band
- 1:45 p.m. Brenda McJones Highland Dancers
- 2:15 p.m. Mountain Station
- 3 p.m. Kozmyk
- 3:45 p.m. AFKO Choir
- 4:15 p.m. Kootenay Kilties
- 4:30 p.m. Playmor Junction
- 5:30 p.m. Aimie Fries Kevin Welch
- 6:15 p.m. White Lightning Blues Band
- 7:15 p.m. Railtown
- 8:30 p.m. Big Mama Blue and The Jones Brothers
- 9:30 p.m. Nelson Rhythm Ropers (Labyrinth Location Lakeside Park)
- 10:00 p.m. FIREWORKS Display Special thanks to The City of Nelson, The Nelson Professional Fire Fighters Association, Heritage Canada, Celebrate Canada, RDCK Areas E, F, H, The Nelson and District Chamber of Commerce, and many community-minded businesses and organizations.
Indulge and Enjoy
- 8 a.m.-11 a.m. Lions Club Pancake Breakfast — 500 Block Baker Street
- 10 a.m. Canada Day Cake on Display
- 11 a.m. Canada Day Cake Served — Chamber Directors/City Councilors /Dignitaries
- 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Rotary Club Annual BBQ — Rotary Shelter
- 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Rose Garden Café — Lakeside Park
Community Display Booths and Activities
Nelson and District Chamber of Commerce Canada Day Flags, Pins, Canadian Flag tattoos information
Aloka Jarman Face Painting
Bubbles the Clown Face painting and Balloons
Camp Coolaree Society Craft making with materials gathered from nature
EZ Rock (Bell Media) Sandcastle Contest (Lakeside Park Beach) plus the Wheel of 150 Game in the Park
Early Childhood Education/CCCABC Information booth and balloons for kids.
H.O.P.E. Church Follow Your Dreams interpretation tent
Joshua’s Giant Bubbles Giant 10 Foot Bubble demonstrations
Kootenay Co-Op Radio Co-op radio information booth plus raffle draw
Nelson and Area Metis Association Information and community awareness
Kootenay Christian Fellowship Face painting, coloring, bubbles, cotton, candy and popcorn by donation
Kootenay Lake Sailing Association ½ hour sail for donation to Nelson Cares Room to Live Campaign (Rowing Club Dock)
Kootenay Rhythm Dragons Terry Fox Run Promotion and Tattoos
Nelson Friends of the Family Children’s Fish Pond (Sebastian’s Pond)
Nelson Electric Tramway Society Historical museum display at the Streetcar Car Barn (Free Street Car for Canada Day courtesy of the Nelson and District Credit Union)
Nelson Izushi Friendship Society Oragami for kids and Sister City Information activities
Nelson Minor HockeyAssociation Puck Shoot with Mallards. Prizes
Nelson Pilot’s Association Formation Fly By for Opening ceremonies
Nelson and District Recreation Complex (RDCK)Carnival games, relay races, sponge throw, face painting near the boathouse
Pharmasave Sparkly Tattoos (by donation), watermelon slices, Sunscreen protection
Save On Foods Bouncy Castle for the kids, plus watermelon and other giveaways
Sail NelsonSafety gear relay and obstacle course. Prize giveaways
Selkirk CollegeFree giveaways includingballoons, and fun activities (“a Minute to Win It”)
SEEDS Senior Economic Environmental Development Society Seed Bombs outdoor garden, raffle
Sparkling Life Family Chiropractic Computerized scans, plus toys and stickers for participants
Sweet Sleep Consulting Kids can brush the teeth of a giant battery powered dino and put him to sleep. Free tooth brushes.
Touchstones Nelson Museum of Art and History Collaborative Art project, history of Nelson display, and childrens craft activities
Visions Alive Puppets Puppet shows and puppet play area
Wildsafe BC Community Information Booth