Nelsonites return in-person to celebrate Canada Day 2022
By The Nelson Daily Staff
Rotary Lakeside Park was the hub for entertainment as Canadians from across the country joined together for Canada Day celebrations, largely unobstructed by pandemic restrictions for the first time in three years.
The Nelson Chamber of Commerce welcomed locals back to traditional celebrations that have been canceled since the COVID-19 pandemic took over the planet in 2020.
Canada Day Nelson started with the traditional Lions Club pancake breakfast on Baker Street.
The celebrations then moved to the waterfront park near the shores of Kootenay Lake as hundreds attended to capture the festivities, that included opening ceremony speeches by local dignitaries, including Shelly Boyd, Arrow/Lakes Facilitator for the Sinixt Confederacy/Colville Confederated Tribes the singing of O’Canada, Canada Day cake and entertainment.
Part of the entertainment also saw a Community Drum Circle led by Cree Metis elder Donna Wright.
People set up chairs to most of the sunny day to listen to the variety of entertainment provided throughout the day with the evening concluded with the Moving Mosaic Samba Band winding through the park prior to the Fireworks Display.
The Nelson Professional Fire Fighters Association supervised the discharge of the fireworks display, sponsored by City of Nelson, Regional District of Central Kootenay Areas E, F & H, the Nelson Chamber of Commerce and numerous community-minded businesses and organizations.
People attending Canada Day in Nelson were welcomed to join a Community Drum Circle led by Cree Metis elder Donna Wright.
Nelson Creston MLA Brittny Anderson and Nelson Mayor John Dooley each shared their own message during Canada Day Opening Ceremonies.
There was plenty of entertainment for children, including the always popular face painting.
Canada Day in Nelson also offered a bouncy castle and Cycle Without Age electric Trishaw.
There was Canada Day cake . . .
. . . and watermelon.
And fireworks to conclude the day.
