Trenton Fireworks display on July 1, 2016. (Facebook photo courtesy Duncan Armstrong and Christel Lassardo)
There’s no shortage of family-friendly events happening across the Quinte Region, in celebration of Canada’s 150th birthday, on July 1st.
Here’s a full round-up with links to more information:
Belleville
In Belleville, the festivities start with a movie under the stars on Thursday June 29th, featuring the Lego Batman Movie.
That’s followed up Friday night with a show by “Canada’s Party Band” Trooper, on the Mix 97/Rock107/CJBQ Main Stage at Zwick’s Park.
Local band the Remedy will be the opening act.
Then on Saturday, the Belleville Canada Day Festival returns to Zwick’s, with various free games, entertainment and vendors throughout the day, starting at 11:00 a.m.
The official opening is at noon where two giant cupcakes will be unveiled for festival-goers to share.
Parking on site is $5 with proceeds going to the Canada Day Committee and a local charity.
Visit the Belleville Canada Day Website for more information.
Quinte West
Quinte West will hold a big Canada 150 celebration on Saturday July 1, at Centennial Park in Trenton, starting at 11:00 a.m.
The “Canada Day Eh?” parade kicks off at 11:00 a.m. from the Duncan McDonald Arena, over to the amphitheatre, with prizes in various age groups for best expressed Canadian spirit.
The rest of the day features free cake from Smylie’s Independent Grocer, plenty of activities for kids and families and a spectacular fireworks display from a barge on the Bay of Quinte, at 9:30 p.m.
There’s also an outdoor movie that evening.
More details are available on the Quinte West Canada Day website.
Prince Edward County
Canada Day Celebrations in Prince Edward County are so big this year, they’ll be held in two different locations.
It starts in Wellington on Friday June 30 with a street dance, BBQ and fireworks at the beach.
Then on Wellington Saturday there’s a pancake breakfast at the town hall, Canada Day Parade at 10:30 a.m., followed by the Rotary Club’s ribs in the park event, live entertainment and more.
Also Saturday in Picton, Main Street will be closed for a massive street festival which includes street performers, live music, giant inflatables and other activities.
More information on those events can be found by visiting the PEC Canada Day website.
Centre Hastings
Canada Day celebrations are already underway in Centre Hastings, where a walk-through exhibit has already opened in downtown Madoc.
The 150th Historical Centre features archives and information from across Hastings County, dating from the 1800s to now and is open 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. through to August.
Three days worth of activities continue in Madoc with a children’s festival and games starting at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, followed by live music including Freddy Vette in the evening and a boat parade and fireworks on Moira Lake at 10:00 p.m.
Sunday includes screenings of Canadian movies all day and pro wrestling at the Madoc Arena, with a family fun day at Whytock Park on Monday.
The family fun day also includes demonstrations from the fire department, a junior firefighters’ competition, free swimming and more.
All of those details are available on the Centre Hastings Canada 150 Facebook page.
Tweed
Tweed’s Canada 150 celebrations include a parade at 12:30 with plenty of entertainment through the day on Saturday.
Included in the festivities are kids’ crafts and games, demos from the Tweed Fire Department and boat rides on Stoco Lake.
The day wraps up with fireworks at Dusk.
You can click here for more on Tweed’s Canada Day celebrations.
Trent Hills
The Municipality of Trent Hills is going big for Canada 150 celebrations, with a trio of festivals around the area.
Campbellford’s event goes at Old MIll Park, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., featuring a pancake breakfast, the Teddy Bear Parade with Winnie the Pooh, face painting, vendors and even a show from Jungle Cat World.
Similar activities are happening at Centennial Mill Creek Pond Park in Warkworth from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., with the “world famous Warkworth Canada Day cupcakes”.
And in Hastings, events run from 1:00 p.m. to dusk on the banks of the Trent River.
There’s plenty of live music, kids’ activities and vendors to keep you entertained right up until the end of the night, when the award winning fireworks display takes place.
That’s put on by the Trent Hills Firefighters who will also be “passing the boot” for donations in support of the display.
A full rundown of Canada Day celebrations in Trent Hills is available here.
