How will you celebrate Canada Day?

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This article was published 30/06/2014 (4095 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Oh hey, Canada. You don’t look a day over 146.

It’s that fleeting time of year again when bashful Canadians shower the motherland with some true patriot love.

Although this year it looks as if Winnipeggers will be the ones getting rained on.

Environment Canada predicts a 40 per cent chance of showers in the city Tuesday and a meagre 15 C is the expected high.

So don’t forget to pack an umbrella if you venture out for a Canada Day stroll. Or stay dry by skipping the city and seeing what’s up in small-town Manitoba.

Many will likely soak up their stat holiday on a couch/barstool/bed of nails wherever the World Cup might be streaming.

Here are a few things to do to celebrate Canada Day, if you are feeling festive and waterproof.

 

Manitoba Live at The Forks

THE Forks always has a little something for everyone. There’s mucho green space and a playground area prime for a family picnic. The Living Flag will set up shop at The Forks this year, too, with thousands of red-and-white-wearing Winnipeggers huddled together for a photo op. The flag folk assemble between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. near the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.

There’s also a long list of talented musicians lined up to play The Forks’ three stages this year, all of them Manitoban. The tag-team finale performance by Del Barber and the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra at 10:40 p.m. is sure to be a highlight. Plus the world-class fireworks show at 11 p.m. never disappoints.

 

Osborne BIZ Street Fest

WITH a cacophony of characters and vendors rubbing elbows in this vacuum-sealed strip of the Village, you’re bound to see someone you know at the Osborne Street Fest. You’re probably also bound to meet someone you wish you hadn’t. Regardless, if you’re looking for beer gardens on Canada Day, Osborne Village is the place to be. Newly branded Nuburger (formerly Unburger) boasts a stellar patio party and Music Trader’s makeshift stage usually has the weirdest (i.e. most fun) musicians.

 

Canad Day at Assiniboine Park

NO, that’s not a typo. “Canad Day” is, in fact, a shameless plug by event sponsor, Canad Inns. But that doesn’t discredit Assiniboine Park’s entertaining lineup for Tuesday. There’s the quintessential Canadian citizenship ceremony at 2:30 p.m. and daytime concerts starting at 1 p.m. by hometown favourites Leanne Pearson, Trio Bembe and Sierra Noble, among others. The main draw will be Can-rock outfit, the Trews, who grace the Lyric Stage at 9:10 p.m. before the fireworks erupt at 10:40 p.m. Come early if you want to rent some good real estate by the stage; space fills up quickly in the park, though you might luck out if things turn predictably soggy.

 

National parks and historic sites

TAKE a tour of days gone by at one of Parks Canada’s national historic sites, all of which are free to visit on July 1. Lower Fort Garry and Riel House are among the long list of legendary parks. Kids’ crafts, face painting and cake are available at every park and historic site, and a tavern is staked out at Lower Fort Garry — just saying.

 

St. Boniface celebrations

THE French quarter of town boasts a historic park, Fort Gibraltar, among many new- and old-world attractions. Le musée de Saint-Boniface has an extensive collection of French-Canadian and Métis artifacts on display, while Promenade Café and Wine on Tache Avenue offers delicious French cuisine and one of the best views of The Forks’ fireworks.

 

Outdoorsy adventures

FORTWHYTE Alive and Oak Hammock Marsh are both hosting some fresh-air festivities that are worth visiting despite the almost certain mosquito blood loss they require. FortWhyte is offering dip-netting lessons, guided hikes and free bannock. Delish. While Oak Hammock Marsh has horse-drawn wagon rides, free crafts, face painting and cupcakes.

 

St. Norbert

VENTURE south and you’ll find a hub of activity in St. Norbert, including a special Tuesday edition of the farmers market starting at 4 p.m. Local reggae act RasTamils hits the stage at 9:30 p.m. and the Métis Infinity Square Dancers are on tap before then at 4:30 p.m. There will be fireworks, there will be cake, and there will be pony rides — three elements that should really be included in every party.

 

jessica.botelho-urbanski@freepress.mb.ca