Whether you’ve only ever known it as Canada Day (its official name since 1982), or remember when it was called Dominion Day (its name from 1879 until 1981), July 1 celebrates the anniversary of Canadian Confederation, which took place on July 1, 1867 with the passing of the British North America Act.
The day is marked by celebrations across the country, and in various locations around the world attended by Canadians who live abroad. Interestingly, the push to rename July 1 as Canada Day started well before 1982: in 1946 Philéas Côté, a Quebec MP, introduced a private member’s bill to rename Dominion Day as Canada Day. While the bill was passed by the lower chamber, the Senate returned it to the commons with the recommendation that July 1 be renamed “The National Holiday of Canada,” which effectively killed the bill.
Whatever name you know it as, July 1 will be marked by events throughout the region. All events are free for everyone unless otherwise specified, so break out your red-and-white clothing and get ready to celebrate with friends and neighbours.
The 70 Mile Community Club is hosting a Canada Day celebration at the 70 Mile Community Hall starting at 11 a.m. There will be free hamburgers and hot dogs at this family event, and it starts with a bocce ball tournament at 11 a.m. Lunch will be served up from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., and you can register your chili dish ($5 per entry) for the chili cash contest.
At 1 p.m. there will be a lawn mower/tractor parade contest (register your float for $5 per entry), followed by chicken poop bingo, and hobby-horse barrel racing and pole bending starting at 2 p.m. The chili contest winner will be announced at 3 p.m., along with the winners of the 70 Mile 50/50 draw and the 70 Mile Volunteer Fire Department early bird draw.
In Clinton events kick off at Reg Conn Park at 10:45 a.m., but if you want to get bragging rights in the pie-baking contest you need to pre-register by Friday, June 27: call or text Sandi at (250) 852-1203, or send a message to Maria McFarland on Facebook. Entries must be at the park by 10:30 a.m. on July 1, with the results announced at noon.
The event — presented by the Spirit of Clinton — starts with the flag-raising, the singing of “O Canada,” and remarks from Mayor Roland Stanke. Free hot dogs will be served up starting at 11:30 a.m., with free cupcakes served up at 12:30 p.m. by Clinton’s 2024 Citizen of the Year, Joanne O’Flynn.
Face painting takes place from noon to 1:30 p.m., and there will also be kids’ activities sponsored by the Clinton Minor Sports Association, a fishing game sponsored by the Clinton and District Outdoor Sportsmen Association, a cake walk sponsored by the Clinton Annual Ball committee and volunteers, and vendors. Don’t forget to stop by the Clinton Seniors’ Association at 217 Smith Avenue for their annual Canada Day yard sale.
The Savona Community Association presents its annual Canada Day Beach Barbecue in Savona from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Get ready to party, with live music, good food, cake and coffee, games for kids and adults, and the Savona Car Show and Shine. Anyone who is able to volunteer to help out — even if only for an hour — should email SavonaCA2@gmail.com or call Patti at (250) 674-1651.
This year’s Canada Day celebration for Cache Creek and Ashcroft will be taking place at the Heritage Park on Railway Avenue in Ashcroft starting at 11 a.m. Hosted by the Winding Rivers Arts & Performance Society, the event starts with the arrival of the colour party, and there will be face painting, free hot dogs and cupcakes, a performance by the Shine On Singers Desert Sands Community School choir, and live music from fan favourite Cayla Brooks. There will also be free swimming for all at the Ashcroft pool (weather permitting) from 1 to 4 p.m.
Looking to celebrate Canada Day a little further afield, and with something different? Art in the Park has been going for more than 50 years, and is not only Kamloops’ longest-running arts event, it’s a Canada Day tradition that brings together artists, performers, and thousands of creative souls. This year’s event runs at Riverside Park from 9 a.m. to 44 p.m. and features more than 55 artists and artisans — from painters to potters, woodworkers to weavers, and more — in a juried outdoor show.
There will also be live music, dancers, theatrical acts, and community booths where you can learn more about Kamloops’ arts organizations. The event is free, and fun for the whole family.
