'Respect and Honour' theme for Saskatoon Canada Day celebrations
Canada Day will look a little different in Saskatoon as things move downtown.
“Transit is going to be running a shuttle from three or four different shopping centres to help people get downtown,” director of Canada Day Saskatoon, Shad Ali told CTV News. “It’s a holiday so city parking spots are free.”
Ali noted that this year’s theme will be a little different from previous years.
“The theme this year is a respectful honouring of our nation. We’ve chosen that because we really believe it is one of the things that needs to be done,” he explained.
“There are certainly some things that we are not so proud of, and of course we need to recognize and acknowledge some history.”
Ali explained that on the official website they’ve added some important facts about residential schools and Indigenous issues so people can learn more about it.
“We also do want to pay honour to the fact that this nation is still strong. It is still free. It is something we want to stand on guard for,” he said.
“We want to celebrate what it is today but also the kind of Canada we want to design and develop in the future.”
CANADA DAY PERFORMANCES
Canada Day celebrations began at noon and those in and around the Saskatoon area can join in at one of the following venues:
River Landing Amphitheatre Stage (414 Spadina Crescent E)
Starting at noon various groups will be performing, including the Chinese Dance School of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon Scottish Country Dancers, Qu’appelle Valley Dancers, Afghanistan Women’s Choir, Mudra School of Performing Arts, Nrityati Performing Arts, River City School of Irish Dance, African drumming and Indigenous dance, drum and song presentations, Brazilian dance, elder blessing, children’s singer Sylvia Chave, Super Ron the magician, indigenous storytelling and Saskatoon singer/songwriter Michele Dubois.
Nasser Plaza (2 Spadina Cresent E)
Family fun will be held all day at the Nasser plaza, which will include:
- Bannock tasting
- 11-2 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. face painting
- 12-3 p.m. Balloon Funn by Warren
- 2:20-2:30 Super Ron Magician
- 2:50-3 p.m. Saskatoon Highland Dance Association
There will also be various local venders selling food, drink and other goods at the traffic bride, on Spadina Crescent E and Friendship Park.
FIREWORKS
The fireworks show will begin at 10:30 p.m. from the Broadway Bridge. Some of the best viewing spots include:
- Traffic bridge
- River Landing
- Rotary Park
- Downtown hotels and parks
July 1st marks 155 years since the British North American Act was signed in 1867.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Another suspect arrested in Toronto Pearson airport gold heist: police
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Trump hush money trial: Play-by-play on Day 2 of Stormy Daniels testimony
Adult film star Stormy Daniels took the stand for a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump's hush money case continues in Manhattan.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Miss Teen USA steps down just days after Miss USA's resignation
Miss Teen USA resigned Wednesday, sending further shock waves through the pageant community just days after Miss USA said she would relinquish her crown.
Cyclist strikes child crossing the street to catch school bus in Montreal
A video circulating on social media of a young girl being hit by a bike has some calling for better safety and more caution when designing bike lanes in the city. The video shows a four-year-old girl crossing Jeanne-Mance Street in Montreal's Plateau neighbourhood to get on a school bus stopped on the opposite side of the street
B.C. wildfires likely to spread with weekend temperatures expected to soar, province says
Wildfire and emergency management officials in British Columbia are urging residents to be prepared for increased fire activity as temperatures are expected to soar above 30 C in parts of the province this weekend.
Wilfrid Laurier football player drafted despite only playing 27 games in his entire life
A Listowel, Ont. man, drafted by the Hamilton Tigercats last week, is also getting looks from the NFL, despite only playing 27 games of football in his life.