The Show Must Go On — Happy Canada Day!
By Bruce Fuhr
It’s no secret that Canada Day will arrive as it does every year — on July 1.
The question was whether Canada Day festivities at Lakeside Park in Nelson would continue to be the staple it is every year.
“Tom said we’re going to go for it,” Val at the Chamber of Commerce told The Nelson Daily Thursday.
Of course the ounce of skepticism in voice of Chamber Executive Director Tom Thomson is due to the shower upon shower of rain Nelson has experienced in the past month — precipitation that has kept the Nelson Streetcar in shelter because of the huge puddle of water on the roadway to the soccer fields and grounds at Lakeside Park softer than normal.
However, quicker than saving a cat out of a tree the Nelson Fire Department came to the rescue to pump away the water and allow the Streetcar to once again cruise the city waterfront beginning Friday, which is just in time for free rides to Nelson Canada Day celebrations, Sunday, July 1.
And the sun finally broke through the clouds and storms to dry out the waterfront.
The day begins at 10:30 a.m. when Chamber of Commerce President Chuck Bennett opens the day with an address to the crowd.
Nelson City Council rep, Paula Kiss, Southern Interior MP Alex Atamanenko, Nelson/Creston MLA Michelle Mungall and members of the Nelson City Police, RCMP and Nelson Firefighters join Bennett at the podium.
After the flyover by Nelson Pilots Association the Harmony Singers lead the crowd in the singing of O’Canada.
Celebrations continue with numerous groups taking center stage throughout the day including Brenda McJones Highland Dancers, Glacier Harmony Singers, Pat Henman Band, Rythmic Dimensions and the Moving Samba Band at 8 p.m.
The evening concludes with Fireworks at Dusk, around 10 p.m.
Around Lakeside are many tents and games as well as the traditional Sandcastle Building contest sponsored by EZ Rock.
For early risers, at 8 a.m. is the annual Lion’s Club Pancake Breakfast on Baker Street and for those who don’t eat until lunch check out the Rotary Club Barbecue, running from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Canada Day cake is served at 11 a.m. at Lakeside Park.
Nelson and District Chamber of Commerce Presents
Canada Day 2012
Sunday July 1st
Nelson’s Rotary Lakeside Park
Schedule of Entertainment
10:30 amOpening Ceremonies : Chamber of Commerce President Chuck Bennett(Welcome) Acting Mayor Paula Kiss Canada Day Address; Southern Interior Member of Parliament Alex Atamanenko Canada Day Address; Nelson Creston MLA Michelle MungallCanada Day Address Nelson Pilots Association Fly Over, Nelson RCMP, Nelson City Police, Nelson Firefighters, Nelson Rotary Club
(Schedule subject to change, all times approximate)
10:40 am O Canada Heritage Harmony Singers
10:45 am Heritage Harmony Barbershop Choir
11:00 am Logan Carlstrom
11:30 am Laela
12:00pm Nelson Community Band
12:45 pm Brenda McJones Highland Dancers
1:10 pm Rhythmic Dimensions
1:30 pm Roy Has Fire
2:00 pm Glacier Harmony Singers
2:30pm The Shants
3:00pm Pat Henman Band
4:00 pm Playmor Junction
5:00 pm White Lightning Blues Band
5:45pm AKA’s
6:00 pm Myriam Parent
7:00 pm Big Mama Blue
8:00 pm Moving Mosaic Samba Band
8:30 pm Sunshine Drive
10:00 pmFIREWORKS Display Specialthanks 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
8am Lions Club Pancake Breakfast Baker Street
10am Canada Day Cake on Display
11am Canada Day Cake Served Chamber Directors/City Councilors /Dignitaries
11am-3pm Rotary Club Annual BBQ Rotary Shelter
Community Display Booths and Activities
Nelson and District Chamber of CommerceCanada Day Flags, Pins, Canadian Flag Tattoos, and
103.5 The Bridge Give aways, Kootenay Lake Hospital Foundation, Magician, splash paint wall 4 Cats Art Studio, Save On Foods
Connor the Magnificent Magician in 103.5 FM The Bridge tent
Bubbles the Clown Face painting and Balloons
AFKO Informational Display and Children activities
EZ Rock Sandcastle Contest (Lakeside Park Beach)
Endless AdventureFree Kayak activity and instruction at Lakeside Park Beach
Glenn Erickson Axe Throwing Demonstration and Instruction
Hide and Seek Team building fun games for all ages and all sizes
Joshua’s Giant Bubbles Giant 10 Foot Bubble Demonstrations
Kootenay Christian Fellowship Information Booth, Candy and water bottles for kids
Kootenay Kids Society Tipi Tales,storytelling for children, toys, games, bubbles information display booth
Kootenay Lake Hospital Foundation Golf Ball Drop
Nelson Friends of the Family Children’s Fish Pond
Nelson Electric Tramway Society Display of Heritage Streetcar photos in the Park and at the Car Barn (Free Street Car from Lakeside Park Concession due to high water level)
Nelson Pilot’s Association Plane Rides over Nelson proceeds to charity (Nelson Airport)
Nelson and District Recreation ComplexKids games, arts and craft, canoe and kayak display
Nelson Canoe and Kayak Club Drop in paddle lessons and informational displays
Nelson Sheriffs Information Display, Prisoner Transport Vehicle, promotional giveaways, and Penny Pyramid
Nelson and District Youth Centre Mural Display
Sparkling Life Family Chiropractic Kids quiz and game on the human body and its functions
Touchstones Nelson Museum of Art and History Memory kit display(Hands on artifact handling) for all ages; Memory Wall, Crafts related to Canada Day
Visions Alive Puppets Puppet shows and puppet play area
