Double the fun at Orillia’s Canada Day celebrations
Orillia’s Canada Day committee is planning double the fun with a two-day celebration at Couchiching Beach Park.
“We did two days last year because of it being the 150th (birthday of Canada),” said manager of operations Brian Hare. “We decided to do it again this year because of it being on the weekend.”
The festivities begin June 30 at noon with food and craft vendors, a beer garden and an evening dance.
In lieu of the usual midway — cancelled this year after organizers were unable to secure one — is a free children’s fun zone with inflatables.
“Canadian Tire stepped up, so now it is a free event for both days,” Hare said of the sponsorship that will allow families to enjoy the fun zone at no cost.
July 1 kicks off with a pancake breakfast at the pavilion followed by the Wheely Great Parade, in which the young, and the young-at-heart, travel around Terry Fox Circle “on anything on … wheels.”
Face painting, a reptile display, music and the main parade are among the activities on tap for Saturday.
Fireworks light up the sky at dusk.
Organizers are encouraging visitors to the park to purchase a $2 Canada Day button, with proceeds going to support the event.