Canadians from coast to coast will be marking their first normal Canada Day in three years on Friday.
The country’s 155th birthday comes as virtually all COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted and that is sure to lead to additional celebrations.
Those prepping for Canada Day parties, either in their backyard or at a large community gathering, will want to keep in mind the statutory holiday comes with a number of closures.
Grocery stores, Costco Wholesale, and the LCBO, will be closed on Friday, while the Labatt Retail Store downtown will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the Beer Store outlets at 1199 Oxford St. West and 1080 Adelaide St. North will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Drive-thru only and Skip the dishes orders will be available at the Beer Store at 414 Wharncliffe Rd. South and the location at 1600 Dundas St. East.
White Oaks Mall, Masonville Place, and Westmount Shopping Centre will keep their doors shut for the national celebration. As will government offices (municipal, provincial, and federal), banks, and London Public Library branches. There will be no garbage and recycling collection and Canada Post will be closed Friday, meaning there will be no mail delivery.
Shoppers Drug Mart will have its pharmacies at 1224 Commissioners Rd. West in Byron, 1225 Wonderland Rd. North at Sherwood Forest Mall, and 510 Hamilton Rd. open. All Rexalls will be open but with reduced hours from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The London Transit Commission (LTC) will be operating on a holiday schedule on Canada Day. The downtown detour currently in place on Talbot Street between Dufferin Avenue and York Street will be modified to use Richmond Street between Dufferin and York through Saturday due to Beer Fest and Canada Day celebrations. The LTC returns to regular service on Sunday.
The city’s 17 spray pads are open daily from 9am-9pm all long weekend. The city’s outdoor pools, with the exception of Thames Pool and Glen Cairn Pool, open for the season on Friday. The Springbank Park wading pool also opens on Canada Day.
Movie theatres, Storybook Gardens, East Park, and the London Childrens Museum will be open.
The London Heritage Council is hosting a Canada birthday bash on Dundas Place from noon until 10 p.m. The festivities will include live entertainment from local artists, street performances, food and drink vendors, children’s zone, Touch-A-Truck vehicle displays, and a relaxation lounge with craft beer and wines. The event is free to attend.
At 10 p.m., the City of London will hold its traditional fireworks display at Harris Park. Those planning on attending the free show are encouraged to walk, bike or take the bus to the celebrations as several roads around the park will be closed.
The Byron Optimists are hosting an evening of celebrations at the Byron Optimist Sports Complex that will also end with a fireworks display. The event gets underway at 5 p.m. with music, clowns, and face painting. The fireworks display is set for dusk. Donations are being accepted.
Families can also celebrate Canada Day at Fanshawe Pioneer Village from 10 a.m to 4:30 p.m. There will be traditional fair games and a chance to learn dances from the past, in addition to live music.
Eldon House will mark Canada’s birthday with self-guided tours of the museum, historic lawn games, and local entertainment from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The fun includes a puppet show, Korean fan dancers from the London Korean Club, and the brassy stylings of a mariachi band.
The London Majors will host the Barrie Baycats at Labatt Park. The game starts at 7:35 p.m. Tickets for the game can be purchased through the London Majors’ website for $12 per adult and $10 for a senior or youth.
The Turtle Island Healing Walk through the downtown will be held for a second year. The walk is meant to honour Indigenous children forced into Canada’s residential school system. Participants will gather in Victoria Park at 9:30 a.m. and march from the park up Richmond Street to Oxford Street, then head over to Colborne Street and then to Dufferin Avenue.
