Campbell River's Canada Day 2011!!!

     Only 2 more days to go until Canada Day 2011 and the excitement can already be seen racing through the town! Campbell River is once again going to be the place to be not only on our country's birthday, but also in the days leading up to it!

     If you've recently gone by the Frank James Park in Willow Point, you've probably noticed the large pieces of wood finally being put in place for one of the town's most popular annual events, Transformations on the Shore. Woodcarvers from all over the world are arriving in Campbell River and preparing for the first day of the competition, which will begin tomorrow at 7 am. The event will continue even past Canada Day to July 3rd, where carvers will show their completed works and wait for the final judging. Anyone is welcome to view these amazing artists in action from 7am to 7pm every day, or even to head down later on in the evening to wander through and watch the progression.

     Canada Day celebrations will be startig early in town with Campbell River's Kick off to Canada Day taking place on June 30th. This is a great opportunity to get into the national spirit early and let it spread through 2 days of non-stop fun. After all, why only celebrate for one day when you can for two?!
     The Senior's Canada Day Celebration will be taking place this year on Thursday, June 30th. Throughout the day it will be rotated through different venues, all of which are listed below:
Ironwood Place 10am
New Horizons Care 11am
Evergreen Care 1 pm
Yuculta Lodge 2 pm
This is a great opportunity to get together with friends and celebrate the upcoming Canada Day, as well as a time to head out with your parents or grandparents and find some events to take part in together.
     Thanks to Grieg Seafood's generous help, we will be having a fantastic fundraising Salmon BBQ Thursday night beginning at 6 pm at the Spirit Square. If this doesn't give you enough reason to come downtown to get involved, then how about a free concert to compliment the BBQ? The ever popular band The Impalas will be once again coming to perform at the Spirit Square Thursday night. This band has proven to be a crowd favorite and due to popular demand, has agreed to come back to Campbell River for an encore performance!

     Once July 1st hits, events will continuously be taking place all through town. Willow Point  will be given the opportunity to hold the first event of the day, the Fire Fighter's Pancake Breafast at Frank James Park. From 8am to 11am Friday morning, the Campbell River Fire Fighters will be providing a delicious breakfast of pancakes and sausage for all interested in return for a donation to the Burn Fund.
     After you're finished with breakfast, you can head on over to the Skateboard Park at the Sportsplex to watch the Salmon City Jam competition beginning at 11 am and going until 3 pm. Although, once 12 pm hits you might have to take a small break in order to grab a piece of Canada Day Cake at the Frank James Park!

     In Downtown Campbell River, a large host of events have been planned to keep the crowds excited and eliminate any possible "dull moments." The first event downtown will be the Huck Finn Fishing Derby taking place at the Discovery Fishing Pier. Beginning at 9am and going until 12pm, this is a great event to take the kids too and try out your luck!
     E&B Helicopters will once again be offering the chance to go out on a tour of Campbell River this year in their E&B Helicopter Rides, an amazing opportunity at a great price. They will be offering these mini tours from 10 am to 5 pm out of the E&B Hanger.
     For those looking for things to do with their kids, the Children's Festival will be beginning at 10 am this year at the Community Centre. If you're looking for something a little different and exciting, head on over to Shopper's Row to watch this year's Home Hardware Belt Sander Races. This event is by no question one of the highlights of Campbell River's Canada Day celebrations, and an event that is not easy to find any other time or place!!
     There will be a great variety of crafts, food, rides, face painting and of course live entertainment taking place from 11 am to Dusk at the Ostler Park, as well as live entertainment from 11am to 3 pm at the Spirit Square.
     The Hospital Foundation and Daybreak Rotary will be hosting this years Bed Races on Shoppers Row from 11:30 am to 3:30 pm. Come and view the homemade bed racers and find out who will triumph in this unusual race!
     Missed the Salmon BBQ on Thursday night? Well you've got another chance on Friday! The Fire Fighters will be hosting the Canada Day Salmon BBQ at the Robert Ostler Park Longhouse by donation beginning at 1 pm. There will also be a Senior's Honour Tea beginning at 1 pm at the Museum.
     The always popular and well looked forward to Canada Day Parade will be beginning this year at 4pm, starting at the Campbell River Common and going through downtown to return to the common. You can find a map of the parade's route down here at the Visitor Centre, or on the Salmon Festival's website.

     The Opening Ceremonies and Cake will finally begin at 5:30pm at the Robert Ostler Park by the entertainment stage, so make sure your around for some either before dinner or after dinner dessert and some great words of wisdom.
      And of course, the question you've all been thinking the entire time you've been reading this...when are the fireworks going to happen?! The always spectacular Quality Foods Festival of Lights will begin at 10:22 pm. So sit and enjoy, and let yourself find your inner child as you watch the spectacle.

Happy Canada Day Campbell River!