Celebrate Canada’s birthday in downtown Kelowna

KELOWNA – Canada turns 148 years old on Wednesday, July 1, and to celebrate Festivals Kelowna has put together more than 50 fun activities and performances for the whole family.

The annual Celebrate Canada Day takes place in Waterfront Park, Jim Stuart Park and Kerry Park as well as Prospera Place. Last year more than 60,000 people attended.

The opening ceremonies take place in Prospera Place at 1 p.m. and include a Happy Birthday, Canada cake presented by Coldwell Banker Horizon Realty. It is followed by the 42 annual Kelowna Folkfest Celebrations representing Canada’s cultural mosaic with food and live performances.

Waterfront Park will celebrate with a food fair featuring more than 18 different vendors, an artisan showcase of handmade, Canadian arts and crafts as well as a bazaar of unique items from local small businesses.

There will be live musical performances throughout downtown July 1, including Parks Alive! On the Power Stage from 12:30 until 9:30, the TD Beach stage in Tugboat Bay between noon and 10:30 p.m. and the WildPlay Element Parks Kid Stage in Pioneer Gardens from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.

A Kids Zone will be set up from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. and will include a variety of drop-in activities for children of all ages. Face painting, hula hooping, hockey shoot, balloon drop, parachute play, arts and crafts and storytelling are just some of the fun and interactive stations guaranteed to keep the little ones occupied.

Bring your radio and a blanket for the evening fireworks display starting around 10:30 p.m. in Tugboat Bay. The 20-minute show can be seen from a variety of locations around downtown and the water.

The entire day of events is free to the public, but donations are welcome.

For more information and a complete schedule of activities, visit the Festivals Kelowna website.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Adam Proskiw at aproskiw@infonews.ca or call 250-718-0428. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.