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This year the celebration is being organized by Tourism Timmins and  Mayor Steve Black is promising it will be one of the biggest and best Canada Day celebrations in years.

The celebration gets under way at 11am on Wednesday, July 1st from Participark with the official opening ceremony scheduled for noon. Dignitaries will be piped in by the Timmins Police Pipe & Drums followed by a Legion Branch 288 and Branch 287 Colour Party. Following speeches and the singing of Oh Canada, there will be a special presentation of Aboriginal drum, dance and smudge followed by the cutting of the Canada Day cake and distribution of red and white cup cakes.

Events include, a children activity zone complete with face painting and balloon animals, horse drawn wagon rides, pony rides, music, performing arts, an exhibitor marketplace, food & beverage vendors, pontoon river cruises, and a best dressed Canada Day dog show.

“The festivities will end with a bang and on a high note. This year, the residents of Timmins and surrounding area, will witness one of the largest fireworks displays the city has ever seen. This is in part due to the community minded efforts of Mr. Paul Woodward, of the Bucket Shop, Steeltec divisions within the United Supply group of companies” said Mayor Black.

Guy Lamarche, Manager Tourism, Events & Communications says he’s thrilled local businesses want to step up and help.

“Paul has taken upon himself to reach out to 21 like minded local businesses that look to give something back to the people of Timmins. It is his efforts, combined with the most generous support of his sponsor group, which has allowed us to turn this $10,000 show into a $20,000 spectacular”.

“This is all about the sponsors. This is a group of people who have come together for the greater good of the community, a group of people who believe in the cause. I could not have done this without each and every one of them. Together we have made a positive impact. The family is proud to be 1 of the 21 members” offered Paul Woodward. Woodward went on to say that the fireworks sponsor committee consists of 21 businesses and he wishes to thank all of them for their support:

  • Air Liquide – Guy Giroux
  • Albert’s Sports and Workwear – Chantal Cauchon
  • Eclipse Financial – Marc Brazeau
  • Fountain Tire – Phil Archambault
  • Kerr Crane – Jim Kerr
  • Leuschen Transportation – Pat Franolla
  • Linex – Dino Colasacco
  • Microtel Inn and Suites – Bob Sergerie
  • Mikey’s General Sales – Mike Mason
  • Miller Paving – Glenn Fernandes
  • Nasco / Northern Allied – Bruce Scott
  • Northern Industrial Services Group – Mike Perello
  • Precision Boring – John Sharp
  • Pizza Hut – Jim Taylor
  • ProPipe – Bert Nielsen
  • Rubino Trucking – Robert Rubino
  • Timmins Garage – Jim Mascioli
  • Timmins Kitchen and Bath – Peter Wilson
  • Toromont – Justin Chemello
  • Total Storage – Mike Caron
  • United Supply Group – Paul Woodward

Furthermore, through a partnership with KISS FM, the fireworks music bed will be simulcast for those wishing to watch from their cars at several “high ground” locations including Archie Dillon Sportsplex,
TH & VS, Ecole secondaire catholique Theriault, R. Ross Beatie Public School, Cameron Hill, or the Mattagami River Boat Launch area to name a few.

Following the fireworks extravaganza and in the context of the Fancophonie 400 anniversary, local musician Celeste Levis and 4 other participants of La voix, the French version of The Voice, will take to the stage for a 90 minute bilingual concert.

Finally, a complimentary shuttle service will be provided by Leuschen Transportation beginning at 10:45am and running to midnight with continuous service to and from Participark with stops at the Whitney Arena, McIntyre Arena and the Cedar St. / Algonquin Blv. Municipal Parking Lot.

“I am pleased with the overall Canada Day program that we were able to develop with our many community partners and I am thrilled to see so many corporate entities support the fireworks program through Paul Woodward’s fundraising work. I’m equally pleased with the support received from the Venture Centre through Francophonie 400 funding, allowing us to bring home our most recent star, Celeste Levis” concluded Guy Lamarche. For more information visit www.tourismtimmins.com or Facebook /Tourism Timmins.

11:00 a.m. Event Open

11:00 a.m. Canada Day Walk with “Mr. Canada” Karl Habla. Depart City Hall to Schumacher Flag Park.

11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Canada Day Marketplace

11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Children’s FREE Activity Centre

11:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. Food & Beverage

12:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. Main Stage (see below)

1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Horse Drawn Wagon Rides

2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Pony Rides

2:00 p.m. Northern Ontario Animal Welfare Society “Canada Day Dog Show”

2:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Canada Day Pontoon Cruises – Provided by WildExodus. Book Canada Day cruises at http://borealforest.travel/cruises. A guided two (2) hour sightseeing pontoon boat cruise on the Mattagami River. Discover scenic City vistas from the boat.

  • 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. $20.00
  • 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. $20.00
  • 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. $20.00
  • 9:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. – $30.00 Fireworks Special

12:00 p.m. Opening Ceremonies – MC Mike Doody

  • Piping- in of the dignitaries by the Timmins Police Pipes and Drums and Royal Canadian Legions Br. 88 and 287’s Colour Party
  • Opening Remarks & 50th Anniversary of the Canadian Flag – MC Mike Doody
  • Message from local Dignitaries – Mayor Black, Mattagami First Nation Chief Walter Naveau and MP Charlie Angus
  • Presentation by Timmins Multicultural Centre / Timmins Local Immigration Partnership
  • Singing of Oh Canada – Ireland Godard
  • Aboriginal Drum, Dance & Smudge
  • Official cake cutting

1:00 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. Joanne Marie – Singer

2:00 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. Ireland Goddard – Singer

2:45 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Les amies qui danse

3:00 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. Skinny – Singer

4:00 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. Gabrielle Bazzara – Singer

5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Sound Check

6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Summer Concert Series ( Bands TBA)

10:15 p.m. Paul Woodward – Acknowledgement of fireworks sponsors

10:30 p.m. Musical Fireworks

11:00 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Celeste Levis & Friends in concert