Wondering what to do on Canada Day in the Kootenays? Look no further! We’ve got competitions, chill family events, performances, and more – all across the Kootenays this weekend. Here’s the breakdown:
Nelson
📍Rotary Lakeside Park
Canada Day at Lakeside is one of Nelson’s biggest events of the year! The day kicks off with opening ceremonies from the mayor and other local leaders, followed an electric day of community fun! The stage itinerary will be packed with musical performances, dancers, and artists, the beach will be full of families enjoying the sunshine.
To keep the whole family entertained, there are bouncy castles, face painting, interactive games, and a variety of delicious food and treats available from local vendors. The whole thing is capped off with fireworks at 10pm. A perfect Kootenay day!
What to Expect
Castlegar
📍Millenium Park
Castlegar’s main events will take place at Millennium Park & Ponds, starting at noon and running until after dark. This is the 10th anniversary of Millennium Park, which got a fancy new playground that opened just in time for the celebrations. Your kids will have a blast on Canada’s tallest castle play structure!
Noon to 4 p.m.
- Music in the park
- Free hot dogs, hamburgers, and Canada Day cake
After Dark
- Movie in the park – Inside Out
All Day
- Visit the beach and swim Millennium’s Natural Ponds
- Play on Canada’s tallest castle play structure and enjoy the park
Trail
📍Gyro Park
Trail’s scripted events happen 10am-2pm, and are targeted at families, but you can expect to find plenty of people hanging out in the park all day.
Bring a lawn chair, some snacks, and enjoy Canada Day together with the community!
Rossland
📍Rossland Museum & Discovery Centre
Rossland has a great line-up of activities, ceremony, cake, and live music planned for Canada Day from 11 -4. Check out the games and activities, grab some tacos, hot dogs, and a cold drink, and settle down to enjoy the show. The ceremony starts at 12 noon, but the bouncy house will open at 11, so don’t wait!
Entry by donation.
Event Schedule
- 10:45-11:45 am: performance by Michael “Gut Bucket Giff” Gifford
- 12 pm: Ceremony (“O Canada,” address from City of Rossland, performance by the Gold Fever Follies, and cake/cookies)
- 12:45-2 pm: performance by Golden City Fiddlers
- 2-4 pm: performance by Truckvancar
Some of the highlights:
- hot dogs and sausages by the Rossland Golden City Lions Club
- tacos, poke, and drinks by the Flying Steamshovel
- cake & cookies from Hooper’s Bakery and Trail Pastry Shop, courtesy of the City!
- kids’ bike clinic at 12:30 pm by Kootenay Mountain Biking
- “O Canada” and a special performance by the Gold Fever Follies
- bouncy house by JumpNFly!
- face painting
- lawn games and gold panning
- crafts and activities
- archival ski footage and ski racing exhibit videos showing in our theatre
New Denver/Silverton
📍Dewis Park/Downtown
Silverton throws a really special Canada Day that brings the whole community together! Each year, Silverton marks Canada Day with a family-oriented community celebration including Pancake Breakfast in Memorial Hall, Bocce Tournament, Bavarian Garden, Children’s Parade, Birthday Cake, Youth Awards, Fireworks & more.
Put together by citizens, Village staff, Historical Society, and Gallery Society, this event brings together young & old, residents & visitors alike. Takes place all over town. Don’t miss it!
Salmo
📍KP Park
Salmo’s Canada Day Celebrations take place all weekend! They go all out with a parade, fireworks, a slo-pitch tournament, a vendor market, kid’s races, a car show, hot & cold concession, Bavarian gardens, pancake breakfast, tri-shaw rides, a bouncy castle, carnival games and so much more!
A hilarious new addition: attendees are invited to come out in their ‘Salmo Dinner Jackets’ and be a part of the photo to show off that Salmo pride. The photos will take place at 7:30 at KP park. Love it!
Prefer to choose your own adventure this Canada Day in the Kootenays? Here’s some weekend ideas to get you started!
