There's a party going on somewhere in Sudbury pretty much all day July 1 in honour of Canada Day.
The festivities start shortly before 10 a.m., with a parade involving local dignitaries, military personnel and police from Memorial Park to the Sudbury Community Arena.
Then it's time for the Sudbury Multicultural and Folk Arts Association's annual celebration at the Sudbury Community Arena.
The annual multicultural food fair — featuring food made by the city's Indian, Chinese, Filipino, Greek, Italian and Polish communities, among others — kicks off at 11 a.m., and lasts until 4 p.m.
Live entertainment — including belly dancing, martial arts and a steel pan band performance — will be ongoing.
Free Canada-themed cupcakes will be handed out, and kids can take advantage of children's activities, including face painting.
Zenaida Odenese, chair of the Sudbury Multicultural and Folk Arts Association's Canada Day committee, said the celebration is a way for the city's multicultural community to show they're proud to call Canada home.
“We live in harmony here in Sudbury,” she said. “It's just one big happy family.”
As has been the case for many years, the other Canada Day hotspot is the grounds of Science North.
Free family entertainment on the main stage starts at 12:30 p.m., with an opening ceremony, followed by a performance of O Canada by Natalie Crispo, last year's winner of the Canada Day talent show.
The celebrations include a band jam, with semi-finalists taking to the main stage at 3 p.m., and the final round taking place at 7 p.m. The grand prize winner will be chosen based on audience applause.
As part of the afternoon's entertainment, the children's entertainment group Mystic Drumz will bring audiences “on a journey of movement and imagination.”
Francophone singer-songwriter Stef Paquette will be the evening headline act.
Opening for Paquette will be local artist Mimi O'Bonsawin.
There will also be face painting, crafts, science demonstrations, hot air balloon rides and plenty of snacks.
In honour of Canada Day, Science North is offering a deal on IMAX tickets – purchase one ticket and get the second 50-per-cent off.
The celebration will come to a close with a fireworks display over Ramsey Lake at roughly 10:15 p.m. (weather and wind permitting).
Because on-site parking is limited, people are encouraged to take advantage of shuttle buses to Science North.
The shuttle service, at $1 per person, departs from the downtown transit terminal and the Southridge Mall every 30 minutes from 11:45 a.m. to 9:45 p.m. Return trips begin immediately after the fireworks.
For more information, visit sciencenorth.ca/canadaday.
Capreol residents don't even have to leave their home town to celebrate Canada's birthday.
The free celebrations begin at the Northern Ontario Railroad Museum and Heritage Centre at 10 a.m., and include live entertainment by Toe Jam Tequila, children's activities, free food and beverages and historical tours.
