Advertisement 1

Five fun, free things to do on Canada Day

If you’re looking for no-cost ways to mark Canada’s 155th birthday on Friday, Free Press reporter Dan Brown has some suggestions, and you won’t have to go far to take part in them.

Article content

If you’re looking for no-cost ways to mark Canada’s 155th birthday Friday, reporter Dan Brown has some suggestions, and you won’t have to go far to take part in them.


Head downtown to celebrate

Article content

Canada Day London takes place from noon to 10 p.m. at Dundas and Talbot streets. The event is organized by the London Heritage Council that promises an “eclectic” mix of entertainment. On-stage musicians include Pepper Jones and the Rockits, the Light of East Ensemble and the Ukwehuwe Connection. The surrounding streets will be home to performers, too, such as belly dancers and lion dancers. There will also be a kids zone, offering activities such as face-painting, and the London Public Library will host story time for the young ones in the crowd.

Advertisement 2
Story continues below
Article content


Watch things go bang

A Canada Day tradition, the city invites Londoners to gather at 10 p.m. for fireworks at Harris Park. City hall officials encourage attendees to walk, bike or bus to the park for the free display, because several surrounding streets will be closed from 8 to 11 p.m. If you do drive, there are municipal lots near Harris Park to leave your vehicle, and on-street parking meters can be used free of charge all day. “Transit users are advised to visit the LTC website for service updates and detours,” officials said.


Bark, er, gaze at the moon

If fireworks aren’t your thing, Western University’s Cronyn Observatory will be open to the public from 5 to 11 p.m. on our nation’s birthday, with the theme for the evening being Canada going (back) to the moon. You’ll be able to see an actual rock from the lunar surface, tour an exhibit on Canada’s role in moon missions, view the moon through a number of telescopes, and take a selfie with life-size images of such NASA heroes as Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin. There’s no charge, and no registration required, but proof of vaccination and masks are.

Advertisement 3
Story continues below
Article content


Take a trip into the past

Canada Day is a free admission day at Fanshawe Pioneer Village, so why not use this local time machine to visit the Canada of yore? On the village’s grounds, you’ll be able to play traditional fair games, learn dances from yesterday and enjoy live musical performances from the likes of PG Tips, a folk duo whose instruments include a viola d’amore and a melodeon. This being the Canada Garden Council’s Year of the Garden, you’ll also be able to check out the many heritage gardens; there will be wagon rides with tours of the gardens led by the village’s master gardener.


Create your own culture fest

If you’re looking for a way to bask in all that is good about Canada, set up your own mini-culture fest at home. You can read books by Canadian authors (such as London’s own Emma Donoghue or Clinton’s Alice Munro) by borrowing them from the library. On the internet, there’s lots of Canadian music to appreciate, including the newly launched FCLMA Radio, the internet station featuring London music talent around the clock. Or check out any number of Canadian movies, like the 1983 comedy classic, Strange Brew. It’ll be a good time, eh?

danbrown@postmedia.com

Twitter.com/DanatLFPress

Article content
Comments
You must be logged in to join the discussion or read more comments.
Join the Conversation

Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.

Latest National Stories
    This Week in Flyers