Sunny afternoon expected for Canada Day celebrations

WINNIPEG – It was a rainy morning, but it looks like it could be a hot and sunny afternoon for Canada Day festivities in Winnipeg.

Environment Canada is calling for a few showers this morning, with the risk of a thunderstorm around noon -- but showers ending this afternoon, turning into sun with cloudy periods for the afternoon with a high of 30 C.  Winds are expected to be from the south at 20 km/h.

There’s still a 30 per cent chance of showers tonight, with a risk of a thunderstorm after midnight. Don’t let that stop you though from catching fireworks at Assiniboine Park, or watching the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra perform with hometown rockers The Waking Eyes at The Forks.

The UV index is expected to peak at 8 or very high, so to be on the safe side, pack the sunblock when you’re heading out to any of the outdoor celebrations throughout the city today.

The Free Press did not publish today, but we will be travelling around the city to gather your Canada Day stories.

If you’re not sure where to go yet, here's a quick guide of what’s going on in and around the city (unless you're partying in your backyard):

The Forks
Family friendly activities take place all day starting at noon, featuring clowns, musicians, buskers, crafts and entertainment.
Fireworks at 11 p.m. Before that, though, catch the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra perform with hometown rockers The Waking Eyes.
The Children's Museum will be slashing admission prices by 50 per cent.

Assiniboine Park
Canada Day Picnic in the Park, noon to 10:30 p.m. This daylong event includes games and activities for children, exciting entertainment on the Lyric Theatre Stage and a fireworks show to cap off the day's festivities. Opening ceremonies begin at 3:30, followed by birthday cake. Winnipeg families will again be able to visit the Assiniboine Park Zoo for free with the city covering the cost of admission as part of the Mayor's Family Day.

Osborne Village Street Festival
This two day party starts Wednesday. Entertainment, food vendors, demonstrations, children's activities and a mainstage at Confusion Corner. A new active living demonstration area features free early morning yoga, hula hoop lessons and demonstrations from local gymnastics and dance clubs.
The Kidz Zone promises a petting zoo, balloon sculptors, face painting and inflatable slide, and tons of games.
Music acts scheduled to perform include the Afterbeat, Dust Rhinos, and Oh My Darling.
As usual, expect Osborne Street to be closed between River and Gertrude.

The Riel District
If you're at The Forks all day, take a walk over the Esplanade Riel and stroll around St. Boniface.
Musée de Saint-Boniface: free admittance including activities for the whole family.
Fort Gibraltar: free admittance, workshops, demonstrations, canoe rides, historic interpretations.
Maison Riel: guided tours, games for children, tattooing.
Tourisme Riel (Saint-Boniface City Hall): free walking tours of Saint-Boniface.

The Manitoba Museum
Free admission for kids under 12 who show their Canadian pride by wearing red and white. The museum will be open from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Exhibits include an igloo in the Arctic gallery, and From Manila to Manitoba, an exhibit celebrating 50 years Winnipeg’s Filipino community.

Royal Canadian Mint
The Mint will be offering free tours, magicians, comedians, interpreters, and a treasure hunt for the kids from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Olympic medals will also be on display.

Lower Fort Garry National Historic Site
Canada Day celebrations from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Activities and entertainment, and cake at 3 p.m., free admission; Hwy 9, 32 km north of Winnipeg.

Prairie Dog Central
Ride in style aboard the vintage train and be a part of the Canada Day celebrations, with birthday cake. Departs Inkster Junction Station at 11 a.m., returning at 2:30 p.m. Tickets $17.95 and $25.95.

Oak Hammock Marsh
Canada Day cake, 2 p.m. in foyer; horse-drawn wagon rides, 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.; face painting; games and canoe adventures, junction of Highway 67 & PR 220, between Highways 7 & 8.

Riding Mountain National Park
A special event in Manitoba will combine two Canada Day traditions -- a trip to the beach and a citizenship ceremony.
On Thursday, 73 newcomers will take the Oath of Citizenship at the main beach at Clear Lake in Riding Mountain National Park.
The ceremony takes place at 12:30 p.m. with citizenship Judge Harold Gilleshammer presiding at the ceremony.

What's Open / What's Closed

All civic offices will be closed Thursday. All libraries are closed and will reopen on Friday.

Recycling and garbage will not be collected Thursday. Collection will resume on Friday -- Day 4 on the five-day cycle.

Winnipeg Transit will run on a Sunday schedule. There will be a free Canada Day transit shuttle running between downtown, The Forks and Osborne Village. Service runs from noon until midnight. There will also be extra Canada Day Portage Avenue buses for convenient travel to and from The Forks and Assiniboine Park. Service will run noon to 11 p.m. Regular transit fares apply.

All leisure centres will be closed. All indoor pools will close, except the Pan Am Pool, which will be open 11 a. m. to 4 p.m. All outdoor pools will be open, except for Kildonan Park. Pool times vary, but most pools open noon - 7:30 p.m.

Weather permitting, the following 15 wading pools will be open: Amherst Park, Brock Cordova Park, Dakota Water Park, Bronx Park, JH Bruns Park, John M. King, Home Playground, Keenleyside Park, McKittrick Park, Norquay CC, Shaughnessy, Pascoe Park, River Osborne, Pirates Park, and Vimy Ridge Park. Call 311 for schedule information.