Canadians from coast to coast will be wishing the country a happy 152nd birthday with countless celebrations this long weekend.
Those prepping for Canada Day parties will want to keep in mind the statutory holiday comes with a number of closures that will limit any last minute errand running.
Grocery stores, Costco Wholesale, the LCBO, and the Beer Store will be closed on Monday, while the Labatt Retail Store downtown will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. White Oaks Mall, Masonville Place, and Westmount Shopping Centre will keep their doors shut. A handful of pharmacies will be open.
Government offices (municipal, provincial, and federal), banks, and London Public Library branches will not be open on Canada Day. There will be no garbage and recycling collection and Canada Post will be closed Monday, meaning there will be no mail delivery.
The London Transit Commission (LTC) will be operating on a holiday schedule on Canada Day, with eastbound and westbound bus detours through the downtown as of 8 p.m. because of road closures for the annual fireworks display in Harris Park. The LTC returns to regular service on Tuesday.
The city’s 14 spray pads are open daily from 9am-9pm all long weekend.
A free Canada birthday bash will take over London's downtown flex-street, Dundas Place, instead of Harris park as in past years, from 12 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Monday. Hosted by the London Heritage Council, the day will include live music, a synthetic ice rink, a chill zone, food trucks, craft beer garden, artisans and vendors, and an interactive kids’ zone. Canada Day fireworks will begin at 10 p.m.
Families can also celebrate Dominion Day at Fanshawe Pioneer Village starting at 10 a.m on Monday. There will be relay races, spelling bees, crafts, speeches, and traditional fair games.
Eldon House will mark Canada’s birthday with a free old fashioned carnival packed with historical games and entertainment including a magic show and a flea circus performance. It runs from 12 p.m. to 4p.m., with cake and lemonade served at 2 p.m.
There is free admission for families to enjoy special Canada Day programming during the day at the London Children’s Museum and Museum London.
For those in south London, there will be Canada Day festivities in White Oaks Park beginning at 2 p.m. with live music, free movie, face painting, inflatable rides, cake, and fireworks at 10 p.m. The event is free to attend.
The Byron Optimists are hosting an evening of celebrations at the Byron Optimist Sports Complex with music, clowns, face painting, and a 10 p.m. fireworks display. Donations are being accepted. The festivities begin at 6:30 p.m.
The London Majors will host the Barrie Baycats at Labatt Park. The game starts at 6:05 p.m.
The East London Optimist's Canada Day celebrations at the Argyle Arena/Clarke Road Secondary school is cancelled this year, due to a policy change by the Thames Valley District School Board that won't allow fireworks.
