Canada Day festivities took place across Greater Sudbury July 1, with the largest being at Science North, at Bell Park and in the Sudbury Arena.
The events at the Sudbury Arena, put on each year by the Sudbury Multicultural and Folk Arts Association, started with a parade from Memorial Park to the arena, followed by opening ceremonies attended by local dignitaries, and then the deliciousness of the annual multicultural food festival.
“Happy Canada Day,” said multicultural association president Bela Ravi. “Happy Birthday Canada. Thank you all for joining us to celebrate the 157th birthday of the best country in the world. We are all so blessed to be calling this wonderful country home. This marks the 62nd year that the Sudbury Multicultural and Folk Arts Association has hosted this event.”
During the event, the multicultural association presented plaques for outstanding citizenship to two deserving individuals - one to Anishnaabe elder Jeannette McQuabbie and the other to retired public servant and local volunteer Lionel Courtemanche.
Many Sudburians chose to check out the festivities put on by private organizers in Bell Park, which included vendors, kids activities and live music.
Over at Science North, visitors were being offered 50 per cent off admission inside, and there were a number of activities outside as well, including science demonstrations, inflatables for the kids and food vendors.
Science North CEO Ashley Larose said coming to the science centre on July 1 is nostalgic for many Sudburians, as the venue has been hosting Canada Day activities since it opened 40 years ago.
“It's also because of the diversity of things that we can offer,” she said. “So we've got our science activities, other traditional Canada Day festivities, and really doing what we do best, in bringing the community together.”
Tonight, Science North is offering the community something new. Instead of fireworks, a drone show by North Star Drone Shows takes place on the science centre’s grounds starting at 9:45 p.m. Sudbury.com will also be providing video coverage of the drone show.
“I think they are going to love the show,” said Larose.
Heidi Ulrichsen is Sudbury.com’s assistant editor. She also covers education and the arts scene.