Peterborough DBIA Invites Community to Cheer on Team Canada This Sunday at Soccer Watch Party
/By Scott Arnold
A giant outdoor screen, free parking and plenty of red and white are all part of a community watch party happening in the heart of downtown Peterborough this weekend.
the dbia will host a watch party to watch the canadian soccer game on sunday (photo courtesy of peterborough dbia)
The Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) is transforming the City Square at 215 Charlotte Street into an outdoor fan zone for Team Canada's opening knockout-round match of the world's largest international soccer tournament.
The free event takes place Sunday, June 28, with Canada taking on South Africa at 3 pm.
Fans can start arriving at 2 pm to grab a spot before kickoff. Admission is free and no registration is required.
The watch party will take place in the City Square, the same location that serves as the downtown skating rink during the winter months. Organizers are encouraging people to bring lawn chairs, get comfortable and enjoy an afternoon of soccer with friends, family and fellow fans.
organizers are hoping the community will come together to cheer canada during their soccer game on sunday (photo courtesy of peterborough DBIA)
Free parking will also be available at the nearby King Street Parkade, making it easy for visitors to walk over to the square.
The event is designed to bring the community together around one of the biggest sporting events in the world.
"We want everyone to find places to enjoy together, see these big events and really experience these things as a community," said Connor English, Programs Manager with the DBIA.
While the match itself is the main attraction, organizers are also encouraging people to make a day of it downtown.
Within a few blocks of the City Square, visitors can explore local shops, restaurants, pubs and cafés before kickoff. Whether it's grabbing a sweet treat, picking up takeout or simply taking a stroll through the downtown, the DBIA hopes people will take advantage of everything the core has to offer.
"Downtowns are made for this kind of thing because there's so much vibrancy and so much to enjoy," said Amanda Bedford, Marketing and Communications Manager with the DBIA. "Instead of just sitting on your couch and watching the game, you can enjoy it with your community."
connor english and amanda bedford are hoping for a big crowd to cheer on canada at the city square on sunday (photo by scott arnold)
The watch parties are being presented by the Peterborough DBIA in partnership with the City of Peterborough and Peterborough Tourism, whose support has helped make the community events possible.
Canada is one of the host nations for this summer's international soccer tournament, and organizers expect excitement around Team Canada's matches to continue throughout the competition.
Additional Team Canada watch parties may be added if Canada advances to later rounds.
Even after Canada's tournament run ends, soccer fans will still have another chance to gather downtown. The international soccer tournament final will be shown at the City Square on Sunday, July 19 at 3 pm, with the competing teams still to be determined.
the city square on charlotte will be the scene for sunday’s soccer watch party as the community rallies around canada (photo courtesy of peterborough dbia)
