Three Days Grace Drummer Neil Sanderson Named Grand Marshall For 2024 St. Patrick's Day Parade

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A true rockstar will lead the 21st Annual Peterborough St. Patrick's Day Parade on March 17 as Three Days Grace drummer Neil Sanderson has been named this year’s grand marshall, announced at The Venue on Thursday afternoon.

Neil Sanderson, Three Days Grace Drummer said he is roughly one-third Irish mixed with Scandanavian/Dutch heritages. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Sanderson is best known for his work with Three Days Grace but has done work with Peterborough’s Thousand Foot Krutch and My Darkest Days. He has spent over two decades in the music industry, winning awards from Juno, Billboard Music and Loudwire Music with Three Days Grace.

The announcement was made by organizer Tim Burke who wanted to continue bringing in high-profile big names to the event after last year saw former sports anchor Dan O'Toole as the grand marshall.

“Dan was amazing last year and I couldn't ask for a better guy to do for us what he did for us in Peterborough,” he explained. “Neil came to mind. I talk to him occasionally and I asked him on Facebook. Within a day or less, he got back to me and it wasn't him saying, ‘Yeah, I'll do it,’ it was, ‘Thank you so much for asking me, I'd be honoured.’”

Sanderson confirmed the feeling Burke mentioned and was grateful for the opportunity, considering the worldwide success he and O’Toole have had in their respective careers.

“I've been lucky that from such a small town, we've been able to have the reach and audience that we've had on a global level. We look at that today and we feel blessed and we never take that for granted because it's amazing to see that world in that capacity” explained Sanderson. “I feel like I have a lot of big shoes to fill with over the years of great parade marshalls and I'm just going to do the best that I can.”

Sanderson’s mother would bring him to several parades when he was younger, such as the St. Patrick’s Day and Santa Claus parades, with several fond memories. During his adult years, he celebrated from dusk until dawn as he said with a chuckle but highlighted the upbeat and diverse music scene he would experience during St. Patrick’s Day.

“There's a lot of great live bands playing and that's what's really cool,” explained Sanderson. “I love live music and this city is rich with it; the music here is pretty eclectic.”

There are 77 entries in the parade so far but Burke says he is looking for more and sponsors.

“I can't believe how big it's growing,” said Burke. Last year, we had 87 so this year I'd like to hit maybe 100. It'd be pretty incredible to hit 100. I'm not sure if Peterborough parades have ever had 100 entries before so let's knock wood, luck of the Irish and all that stuff, let's do it.”

To register for the parade, visit the parade’s website and apply until March 1.

The parade is scheduled for 2 p.m., with the route beginning on George Street at City Hall and ending at the Peterborough Memorial Centre.

Prior to the event, a 5k run along George Street will occur to raise money for Right to Heal to help those with mental health and addictions.

To sign up for the run, contact Dave Dame of Runner’s Life at 876-8960. Donations can be given online at Right to Heal’s website.

A flag-raising will occur at City Hall on March 10 to commemorate St. Patrick’s Day.

For more information, contact Tim Burke at (705) 875-2542.

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Hometown PTBO: Neil Sanderson of Three Days Grace With Band Updates and Filming a Commercial With His Son

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This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday talks with Neil Sanderson of Three Days Grace about the band's status, doing a commercial with his son and spending more time in Peterborough and the Kawarthas.

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'Harmony for Healing' Event Organizer Sends Cordial Invitation Letter to Neil Young and Daryl Hannah

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Organizer Philip Jolicoeur has reached out in a cordial letter to famed Canadian musician Neil Young and his wife and actress Daryl Hannah to attend his ‘Harmony for Healing’ suicide prevention concert.

Jolicoeur’s letter that was posted to social media. Photo courtesy of Philip Jolicoeur.

Jolicoeur’s mother passed away from suicide in the summer of 2022. He says Young’s music was a ‘comfort’ to her and himself. Jolicouer got to see Young in concert for the first time when he was four.

The letter was posted to social media on Wednesday and had almost 200 shares on Facebook, tagging the renowned artist.

The show is set for Feb. 22 at Market Hall. Tickets are $40 (plus $4 for ticket office fees) and are available online.

The concert has a house band boasting a large handful of Peterborough’s best performing at the event. The Weber Brothers, Melissa Payne, Nicholas Campbell, Austin Carson, Carling Campbell, Beth Anne Pelow on Sax, Tony Silvestri, Lindsay Barr and the artistry of Jason Wilkins Art & Creative Inc. are showcased at the event.

The event’s fundraising goal is $10,000 annually over a five-year span to raise a total of $50,000. Proceeds go to the Canadian Mental Health Association’s Assertive Outreach Suicide Prevention program.

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Hometown PTBO: Pete Dalliday and PTBOCanada Send Off the Holidays With the Weber Brothers

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This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday and PTBOCanada want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy Holidays as we finish off the year with some music from The Weber Brothers.

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Canadian Artist Shawn Desman to Hit The Venue With Special Guest Sofia Camara On March 1

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To help mark his 2024 Ontario and Quebec tour, JUNO Award-winning pop artist Shawn Desman is performing at The Venue on March 1, announced on Wednesday.

File Photo.

The multi-platinum artist has added rising pop artist Sofia Camara as a special guest for the tour.

2024 promises more new music and an expansion of live shows for Desman, according to a press release. 

Ticket availability can be found online on Desman’s website.

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David Tuan Bui


Hometown PTBO: Musician Dan Hick and His Song and Memories About Armour Hill

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This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday talks with musician Dan Hick about growing up in East City, his sons aiding his music career and his song/music video about Armour Hill.

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Hometown PTBO: Violinist Victoria Yeh and Her Upcoming Shows Including 'Timeless' at Market Hall On Dec. 21

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This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday talks to violinist Victoria Yeh about her music style, upcoming shows and how they share a mutual friend.

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Hometown PTBO: Alan Black on Getting Into Drumming and Helping Other Musicians In Need

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This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday talks with drummer Alan Black about how he got into drumming, bands he’s played with over the years and how he’s involved in helping fund musicians in need.

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The Arkells 'At Your Service' Tour Ends at the Peterborough Memorial Centre For Nov. 11

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Canadian band The Arkells are set to rock the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Nov. 11, announced on Tuesday.

Photo courtesy of Scarlet O’Neill.

The Peterborough stop is the last leg of their ‘At Your Service’ tour running from Sept. 29 to Oct 22. It was added as part of three Canadian shows which included Guelph and St. Catherine’s.

“It’s been four long years since we’ve played these towns,” says frontman Max Kerman. “We’ve had amazing memories in Guelph, St. Catharines and Peterborough and it’s because of the real, longstanding relationships we have with these places. We started playing ‘em in tiny bars, and now we’re playing in the hockey barns.”

Two-time Grammy-nominated artist K.Flay is opening for the band for the performance.

Tickets for the nine-time JUNO Award winners go on sale this Friday at 10 a.m., with fan pre-sales on Wednesday at 10 a.m.

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Photos: Big Wreck Returns to Peterborough Musicfest To Rock Del Crary Park

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After five years since their last performance at Peterborough Musicfest, Big Wreck returned to town to rock a full Del Crary Park on Wednesday night.

Big Wreck frontman and guitarist Ian Thornley joked with the audience after their opening song about rocking and seating preference.

“These people want to rock and the rest want to just… Chill. And if I had the choice, I would pick… The chair. But I respect your choice,” joked Thornley.

The band played fan favourites such as That Song, Ghosts and Bombs Away. They even played Come Again from other band ‘Thornley’ after the Big Wreck split up in 2003. The band returned after receiving chants of an encore from the elated crowd and finished off their set with The Oaf (My Luck Is Wasted).

An autographed acoustic guitar by Ian Thornley was put up for raffle during the concert and was given to a lucky winner at the end of the night.

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