And with the way things are shaping up for the festivities on Monday, July 1, they’ve reached that goal and then some.
New events, more performers and even an expanded fireworks show will make for a busy and fun day in and around the city.
“Things are coming together really nicely for this year’s Canada Day, mostly thanks to the Moose Jaw Kinsmen’s involvement, they’re sponsoring the entire event for us this year,” said Tourism Moose Jaw executive director Jacki L’Heureux-Mason. “What we are doing in turn is a little bit of fundraising and encouraging our local businesses to help them. But it’s what they do well and it’s enabled us to focus on putting on the best event that we can.”
One main bonus over last year is many of the games and other activities have already been purchased, meaning that the Kinsmen investment can go to other areas of entertainment – including the fireworks show from Hamilton Flats that evening.
And, of course, there’s simply how popular things were last year. Crescent Park was a buzz with activity from start to finish, bolstered by brilliantly sunny and warm weather and just a good ole time for the whole family.
“I think our concept last year was just ‘downhome fun’,” L’Heureux-Mason said. “Just real low-tech, backyard barbecue family gathering kind of stuff, and I think it really hit a nerve because we had more people than I’d ever seen a Canada Day celebration. It’s a nice way to unplug for an afternoon from our every day lives for a few hours.”
Things will kick off with the Notoriously Canadian CabarEH on June 30 from the Crushed Can Sports Bar, featuring performances by the 86’s and Ray Rawlyk, a best Canadian costume contest, trivia and many other activities through the night.
“It’s going to be a lot of fun… one of the things we heard over the years is that there isn’t a lot for the adults to do, it’s all family focussed, so we thought this is a good way to combine fundraising with an adult-focussed event to ring in Canada Day,” L’Heureux-Mason said.
Things get going early on Canada Day itself, beginning with the annual pancake breakfast at the Cosmo Centre beginning at 8 a.m. before moving over to Crescent Park.
The day will begin there at 11 a.m. at the amphitheatre with Annie MacLeod singing O’Canada and then performing a set, leading a wide selection of artists performing on stage through the day. That will include a newcomer this year, children’s entertainer Smilin’ Rylan, who will take the stage at 2 p.m.
One of the most popular events last year -- the Moose Jaw Co-Op pie-eating contest -- will take place at 5 p.m.
Then there’s the Living Library that will be in the park throughout the day. The event will feature groups from many organizations in the city offering a look at what they have to offer. Returning will be one of the biggest hits last year, J.J. Soccer, while Control Jiu Jitsu and Moose Jaw Minor Football will be two of the new groups on site.
“It’s a way for community organizations to talk about what they do,’ L’Heureux-Mason said. “We hear a lot of the time from locals that there isn’t a lot to do in the city and tourists don’t think that, so we thought why don’t we partner with community organizations that keep this place growing and busy. So it’s a great chance to try out different things… it’s all about keeping kids busy and active.”
The day will wrap up with the fireworks show at dusk, with things likely getting underway around 10:15 p.m.
“It was extremely busy down in the Flats last year, we have a safe zone that’s clearly marked that we don’t allow people into, but we could see the lights across the valley from South Hill, so it was a pretty good show.”
All in all, it’ll be a busy and entertaining day.
“We’re hoping to see a lot of people out again and hope everyone has a lot of fun,” L’Heureux-Mason said.
