Celebrate Canada’s 156th Birthday in Bobcaygeon

COURTNEY McCLURE The Standard

KAWARTHA LAKES: There are many Canada Day celebrations happening across the City of Kawartha Lakes and within Durham Region on July 1st, 2023.

Steven Winter, the chair of the Canada Day Committee for Bobcaygeon, said the committee expects around four or five thousand people to attend the 2023 Bobcaygeon Canada Day celebration.

“I’d be hard-pressed to say, ‘Oh, they come because of the jumping castles or the kids’ races’,” said Mr. Winter. “It’s all part of [the experience]. Everyone comes and seems to enjoy it all.”

He also said people love the fireworks display, and it draws a large crowd each year.

Celebrations will be taking pl ace at the Bobcaygeon-Verulam Community Centre. The festivities start at 10 a.m., ending around 10 p.m. after the fireworks display.

On July 1st, the day will start at 11 a.m. with the children’s races. Then, at noon, the free hot dog barbecue begins.

A local dance studio is hosting a dance class at the community centre at 12 p.m.

Before the serving of the Canada Day birthday cake and Kawartha Diary ice cream at 1 p.m., Mr. Winter will deliver his thank-you speech to the attendees.

“You will not believe how quickly a thousand people form a line [for food],” he said. “It’s like, you snap your finger, and there’s already a thousand people in line.”

There will be a parade at the local fairgrounds starting at 2:30 p.m. The parade will start along Mansfield Street, through Canal Street, Bolton Street, King Street and then back to the community centre.

This year, the municipality is providing $10 thousand dollars in Canada Day funding to eight communities across the City of Kawartha Lakes.

The Bobcaygeon Canada Day committee is also encouraging students and anyone else who is interested in helping out with this year’s Canada Day celebrations!

Please check out the committee’s Facebook page for more information. You can find their page under the display name Bobcaygeon Canada Day.

If you’re interested in volunteering, please contact Steve Winter at 705-738-9072.