Canada Day Parade Marches Through Downtown Peterborough On Nation's 156th Anniversary

For a second-straight year, the Peterborough Canada Day Parade marched through George Street with 23 floats going through downtown on Saturday afternoon.

All photos by Samantha Bianco.

The parade began at Confederation Square Park and City Hall and ended at the Peterborough Memorial Centre. The parade’s theme was ‘Happy Birthday Canada’ which saw floats from organizations such s the Peterborough Petes, Lions Club. MP Michelle Ferrari, Liberal Party of Canada and more.

There were pre-parade activities at Confederation Square that had a bike decorating contest, activities and giveaways including Canada Day temporary tattoos and flags.

The Peterborough Pop Ensemble performed the national anthem prior to the parade’s beginning.

@ptbo_canada ♬ Limelight

Three judges were present to vote on four different categories of the 23 entered floats to fit the ‘Happy Birthday Canada’ theme. The winners are as follows:

• Best musical entry: Hastings Pipe Band

• Best theme float: Murray Fallaise

• Best overall entry: Revolutions Dance Studio

• Best salute to Canada: Peterborough Petes

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Quaker Canada Day Breakfast Nourishes At Quaker Foods City Square

Quaker Canada hosted a complimentary breakfast at Quaker Foods City Square to help kick off Canada Day in Peterborough on Saturday.

All photos by Samantha Bianco.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Free Quaker product samples were distributed to Canada Day attendees such as a smoothie, a fruit parfait and bran muffins. Quaker Borough apparel was also available for purchase at the Square.

“Thank you to Quaker Foods for hosting a community breakfast on Canada Day,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “Quaker is one of the City’s key longstanding employers and we’re thrilled that they are celebrating their anniversary by bringing our community together.”

The breakfast ran alongside the Peterborough Regional Farmers’ Market.

This was the first Canada Day Quaker Square has operated at full capacity. The park was still under construction but was temporarily open last year for a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the UN Peacekeepers Monument. It cost roughly $100,000 to build.

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Parks Canada Invites the Community to Celebrate Canada Day With the Trent-Severn Waterway

This Canada Day, Parks Canada is welcoming visitors to celebrate the natural heritage of Canada on the Trent-Severn Waterway by offering free lockage for recreational boaters on July 1.

photo courtesy of parks canada.

As cornerstones of Canada’s tourism industry, Parks Canada is committed to providing visitors with high-quality and meaningful visitor experiences and supporting tourism in communities across the country.

They say that by encouraging Canadians to visit national historic sites, national parks and national marine conservation areas and providing them with the information and means to enjoy them, Parks Canada enables more Canadians to learn about our shared heritage and experience the outdoors.

To make the most of their Parks Canada experience, visitors are encouraged to plan their trip in advance. Visit the Parks Canada website for more details.

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Canada Day Parade Hits the Peterborough Streets For July 1

The Peterborough Canada Day Parade is in full swing for 2023 as it will begin at City Hall and end at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Saturday.

File photo.

This year’s theme for the parade is “Happy Birthday Canada” and a huge birthday cake will be provided by Morello’s Your Independent Grocer to share with parade attendees.

Pre-parade activities start at 10 a.m. with a bike decorating contest, activities and giveaways including Canada Day temporary tattoos and flags at Confederation Square.

Peterborough Pop Ensemble will perform the national anthem around 10:30 a.m. at City Hall. The parade starts at noon at City Hall.

“Join us along George Street to cheer on the parade floats and the always popular display of kids riding their bikes decorated for Canada Day,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “Thank you to the organizing committee for bringing us together as a community to celebrate Canada, reflecting the diversity of our great country.”

Road closures

Temporary road closures for the event will occur along the route on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. as follows:

• Dublin Street – from the east side of Aylmer Street to the west side of Water Street

• London Street – from the east side of Aylmer Street to the west side of Water Street

• McDonnel Street – from the east side of Aylmer Street to the west side of Water Street

• Murray Street – from the east side of Aylmer Street to the west side of Water Street

• George Street – from the south side of Parkhill Road West to the north side of Brock Street

George Street from Brock Street to McGill Street is being treated as a rolling road closure with sections closed just before the parade arrives at each section and each section reopened as the parade clears that section.

Transit detours

Peterborough Transit will have route detours in place for Route 2 Chemong during the rolling road closure and Route 6 Sherbrooke while George Street is closed.

Parking restrictions

On-street parking restrictions in the downtown area will be in place on Saturday due to the parade. People are encouraged to park in the King Street Parkade at 202 King St., the Simcoe parking garage at 190 Simcoe St. or municipal surface lots at the following locations:

• Chambers Lot at 184 Hunter St.

• Reid Lot at 350 Reid St.

• Surface lot at 365 Aylmer St.

• Del Crary Lot at 100 George St. N.

• Downie Lot at 336 Downie St.

Parking in municipal lots and parking garages is free on weekends.

the City reminds residents to follow all on-street parking regulations that may be in place in the downtown area including calendar parking where applicable. Please ensure fire hydrants and driveways are not blocked.

Cogeco will be broadcasting the parade live from City Hall on YourTV.

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City of Peterborough Announces Fireworks Display Planned for Canada Day Celebrations

As part of Canada Day celebrations, a fireworks display will be held over Little Lake on Saturday, July 1 following the Peterborough Musicfest concert at Del Crary Park featuring Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy. 

file photo.

The display will take place from 9:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. on the Saturday, with the fireworks provided by the City of Peterborough. 

There will be a temporary road closure on Crescent Street in the vicinity of the t-wharf prior to and during the fireworks display. Access for local traffic will be maintained . 

Residents are reminded to follow all on-street parking regulations that may be in place in the area, including calendar parking where applicable. Please ensure fire hydrants and driveways are not blocked. 

Additional information about Canada Day celebrations, including the parade, is available online.

Important information on the use of fireworks:

• Residents are asked to respect their neighbours and fellow residents when using fireworks in the City of Peterborough.

• City by-laws allow for the use of family or casual fireworks in the City on private property. Fireworks cannot be discharged on City property. Larger exhibition-style fireworks displays require a permit.

• While fireworks displays may be permitted, residents who use fireworks must follow the Noise By-law and be aware of safety precautions when using fireworks. Fireworks can also disturb pets.

Using fireworks can be dangerous, causing injury or property damage. Fire Services provides the following safety tips when using fireworks:

• Only adults who are aware of the hazards and have read the label should handle and discharge fireworks.

• Always keep a water hose or pail of water close by when discharging fireworks.

• Discharge fireworks well away from combustible materials like buildings, trees and dry grass.

• Keep onlookers a safe distance away, upwind from the area where fireworks are discharged.

• Do not discharge fireworks in windy conditions.

• Keep sparklers away from children, as they are extremely hot and pose a risk of burns and eye injuries.

The City of Peterborough by-law regulating fireworks displays and the Noise By-law are available online.

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'Only in Douro' Is Theme to Douro Canada Day Parade For July 1

All are welcome to the Douro Canada Day Parade scheduled for July 1 at 2:30 p.m., announced the Township of Douro-Dummer on Monday.

This year’s theme is ‘Only in Douro,’ as the parade is open for anyone to enter.

“We are excited to bring the community back together once again to celebrate as neighbours and friends,” said Julie Chatten, co-organizer. “We are excited to celebrate everything we love about being Canadian as well as celebrating our community.”

“We’re hoping for a large celebration that brings together people of all ages,‘ Alyssa Heffernan, co-organizer. With so many new families in the community, it’s a great chance for parents, kids and grandparents to come together.”

The route begins on Douro Fourth Line Road at County Road 4 and will end in Douro at County Road 8. Entries of walkers and floats are asked to assemble at 2 p.m. at County Road 4 and Douro Fourth Line Road.

Parade entries are welcome and can take any form but are requested to register.

For additional information or to register, please contact Julie Chatten at 705-559-5296.

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Peterborough Canada Day Parade Seeking Float Entries

The 2023 Peterborough Canada Day Parade will take place on Saturday, July 1, and local community groups and businesses are invited to participate by entering a float.

photo courtesy of the city of peterborough.

The Canada Day Parade welcomes both community groups and commercial floats. Commercial floats will be charged a fee of $125 with fees payable online. Each parade entry will require a representative to attend a safety orientation meeting on June 17 from 11 a.m. to noon at the Board Room of Healthy Planet Arena (911 Monaghan Rd.)

Parade entry forms are available online, and paper copies are available at the Peterborough Sport & Wellness Centre (775 Brealey Dr.), and City Hall (500 George St. N.) Entries will be accepted until June 9 at 4:30 p.m.

“This year's parade will be something for everyone to enjoy. It is more important than ever for our community to celebrate Canada's 156th birthday as the return to normal continues. Cogeco proudly supports the parade through our sponsorship and live coverage on YourTV,” said David Feeley, senior manager at YourTV.

The Canada Day Parade organizing committee encourages the community to wear red and white to celebrate Canada’s birthday.

For more details, visit the website.

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Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy To Open Peterborough Musicfest This Canada Day

Peterborough Musicfest lifts the curtain on its 36th season on Saturday, July 1, helping thousands celebrate Canada Day by presenting fiddle music duo Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy.

photo courtesy of peterborough musicfest.

MacMaster, a native of Nova Scotia, and Leahy, lead fiddler for the famed musical family from Lakefield, married in 2002 and remain Canada’s reigning couple of Celtic music. Often performing with their musical children, they have been awarded numerous honours including Juno and East Coast Music awards.

MacMaster and Leahy have recorded three albums together.

In 2015, their debut album ‘One,’ produced by the legendary Bob Ezrin, was released. The following year saw the release of ‘A Celtic Family Christmas.’ There things sat until earlier this year and the release of ‘Canvas,’ which introduced rock, pop, Latin and classical influences to their trademark Celtic sound, featuring guest support from Rhiannon Giddens, Yo-Yo Ma and Brian Finnegan.

“The fiddle was definitely common ground for us when we first got together,” reflects MacMaster, a member of the Order of Canada since 2006. “I was so in awe of Donnell’s family, of 11 siblings who could play and had a family band. And here I am now doing almost exactly the same thing. Well, kind of. This whole thing - first playing music by myself, then playing music with Donnell, then touring with Donnell and the children and all of us playing music together - has evolved in a very natural way. We feel incredibly lucky to be together as a family and to be letting our children develop their musical talent.”

“The only downside is that we can’t do all we’re asked to do and might like to do in other circumstances because we are parents first,” adds Leahy.

With Canadian jazz music great Moe Koffman headlining, Peterborough Musicfest debuted July 1, 1987 under the name Peterborough Festival of Lights with concert series founder Fred Anderson at the helm. Over the years since, artists representing practically every genre of music have headlined, bringing thousands to Peterborough’s Del Crary Park.

Peterborough Musicfest is funded by corporate sponsorships – most of those being locally owned businesses – multiple levels of government support, fundraising initiatives and private donations. As a result, Musicfest has been, and steadfastly remains, a uniquely free admission event. Dallas Green, Our Lady Peace, Serena Ryder, Gordon Lightfoot, 54-40 and Blue Rodeo are just a few of the sensational music acts that have appeared over the years.

Overseen by general manager Tracey Randall, staff and a board of directors, Peterborough Musicfest’s stated mission is to “provide diverse, affordable live music to enrich cultural and economic prosperity in our community.” In order to fulfill this mandate and keep attracting legendary musicians to our stage, Peterborough Musicfest encourages any individual or business interested in sponsoring the festival to reach out online or via phone at 705-755- 1111.

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Canada Day Parade Is Back On the Streets After a Two-Year Hiatus

With last year celebrated “at home” and 2020’s being cancelled, the annual Canada Day Parade toured through George Street with 20 different organizations leading the charge on Friday.

The parade began at Confederation Square Park and City Hall and ended at Morrow Park. The parade’s theme was “Together Again” in reference to the parade being in-person after being postponed for two years.

Pre-parade activities included the bike decorating contest, Canada Day tattoos and flags. The Electric City Swing band sang “O Canada” prior to the parade.

A “Happy Birthday Canada” cake at City Hall was featured and given out to anyone in attendance.

Groups such as the Lions Club, Peterborough Petes, Peterborough Paramedics, Peterborough Police Service, Peterborough Fire Services, Peterborough Century 21 Lakers and more took part in the return to the nation’s festivities.

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UN Peacekeepers Monument Unveiled in Ribbon Cutting Ceremony in Downtown Peterborough

Roughly 250 gathered at the ribbon-cutting ceremony of a new UN Peacekeepers Monument at Peterborough’s latest park on the corner of Charlotte Street and Aylmer Street on Friday morning.

(From left to right) Retd Maj Lea-Anne Quinn, MGen Lewis W. MacKenzie and Rev. Frank Patrick at the Un Peacekeepign monument at the partially-completed park on Charlotte and Aylmer Street. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Peacekeeping veterans shared brief stories during the ceremony and honoured their fallen soldiers. The national anthem and ‘God Save the Queen” was sung by Rhema Christian School students.

Recent Syrian refugees were honoured and welcomed during the event. They sang songs showing their appreciation for Canada.

The monument was created by Studio F Minus’s Brad Hindson, Mitchell Chan and Michael Simon. It was commissioned from the City in 2017 and cost roughly $100,000 to build.

The two pillars have mirrors with a blue square near the top. Hindson says the design was a metaphor and homage to the duty Peacekeepers have.

“Peacekeepers have to cross invisible borders,” he said. “The blue square turns into a dotted line and dotted lines on maps represent borders so you’re actually crossing a border as you come through.”

The monument has been with a quote from Bill Steedman, former case manager of the Peterborough Constituency Office:

“From all across Canada, they came,

From coast to coast to coast.

There was no cry for victory on their lips,

Only a prayer for peace.

They sought not to impose their way,

Only to preserve those most elusive ideals:

Peace and humanity.

Some came home broken,

Some came home not at all.

For all of those who stood their ground,

We stand for them.” - Bill Steedman

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