An annual Canada Day celebration is returning to the North Shore with fun festivities.
West Vancouver’s Canada Day event at John Lawson Park is making another trip around the sun on July 1, with activities, food vendors and live music.
The event will start at 4 p.m. with a “kids’ zone,” featuring new activities for the little ones to take part in, said Christie Rosta, cultural services manager for the District of West Vancouver. Some of those activities are playing soccer or baseball, board games like Connect Four and Jenga, and art activities like painting hats.
“It’s very family oriented,” Rosta said. “It really is just where the community comes to gather, enjoys the park, enjoys being together and spending time out on the waterfront.”
An official ceremony will start at 4:30 p.m. with the singing of the national anthem, followed by live entertainment from Eagle Song Dancers from the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), West Vancouver Youth Band and Vancouver band Trilojay until the event closes at 9 p.m.
Since John Lawson is a favourite picnic spot for many people, Rosta said they encourage people to bring a picnic and celebrate the event. But if you can’t, don’t fret, as there will be food vendors at the event like gelato from Dolce Amore plus cotton candy, popcorn and refreshments from the Kiwanis Club of West Vancouver.
The event at the West Vancouver park has been running for around 13 years, Rosta said, adding that she loves seeing families happy at the annual celebration.
“I think I enjoy most being with the community, seeing all the families so proud and so happy to be together, celebrating a great day,” Rosta said. “It’s always fun to create activities that we think the community will like.”
As the event comes near, Rosta hopes people enjoy the event sharing company with one another.
“[I hope] that they come, they enjoy being Canadian, share their Canadian spirit and enjoy each other’s company,” Rosta said.
Abby Luciano is the Indigenous and civic affairs reporter for the North Shore News. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.
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