CanadaDay_spotlightThis year’s Canada Day celebrations are expected to be the biggest Timmins has ever seen.

Manager of Tourism Guy Lamarche says there will be many activities available, which will appeal to a diverse demographic, and will no doubt attract thousands of people to the event, many coming from outlying municipalities.

The park opens at 11am, and closes at 1am.  The official ceremony goes at noon with the Timmins Pipes & Drums and Colour Party Legions 88 & 287.

There will be a children’s play area, including horse drawn hay rides, pony rides, inflatables and more.  Also at the park will be “Art in the Park & Community Exhibits.”

That will feature more than 15 exhibitors, with more room still available.

Mattagami River Pontoon Cruises throughout the day, and of course, a food and beverage tent will be set up.

To go along with it all, live entertainment will also be going throughout the day, including the Summer Concert Series.

Joanne Marie, Skinny, Ireland Goddard, Gabrielle Bazzara, Les amies quidance and Timmins Tai Chi will play in the afternoon, while Frate Train, Younger Strikes and Sledgehammer will perform after 6pm.

There will be a musical fireworks display over the Mattagami River.  These will be launched from the east side of Participark and should provide a spectacular display the likes never seen in Timmins before.

The fireworks themselves cost $20,000.

A soundtrack will be playing throughout, and if you want to listen in your car, just tune your dial to our sister station KiSS 99.3, who will be providing a simulcast of the fireworks soundtrack for those who prefer taking in the show from high grounds.

After the fireworks, a special 90-minute concert will go with Timmins’ own and rising star, Celeste Levis and Friends.

Safety will be key throughout, which is why the South Porcupine OPP Marine Unit will be patrolling the water on Canada Day, to ensure that boaters are outside the designated fireworks restricted area. (North of Mattagami Bridge to Eacom Forestry).

Road travel between Norman Street and Fogg Street will be closed to vehicular traffic from 9:30pm to midnight.  (During the active road closure, access from Parking lots that exit onto Riverside Dr will be prohibited.  Road Closure will be in effect until crowds have dispersed. Violators will be charged.)

All eastbound traffic should detour at Shirley Street, with westbound traffic detouring at HWY 655 or Theriault Boulevard.

Voluntary admission of non perishable food items or a cash donation supporting the Timmins & South Porcupine Food Banks is encouraged. Beginning at 7pm  a $5.00 admission will be charged for  access to the food and beverage tent.

He says parking will be limited, and for people to exercise caution and to be patient.

Parking lots are as follows:

  • 2 lots at the bottom of Commercial Ave; south / west, south/east and north / west lots
  • Participark, Game On and Timberland Ford Truck lots south / west of the bridge
  • Mountjoy Arena and Archie Dillon Sportsplex

Lamarche says on-street parking is available in and around the venue where allowed, and there will be a complimentary shuttle service available, sponsored by Leuschen Transportation.

Pickup & drop off goes at the Whitney Arena, the McIntyre Arena and the Cedar/Algonquin Municipal Parking Lot.

The service will run from 10:30am with last bus leaving Participark at 1:00am.  Passenger drop-off/pick-up will be at the corner of Norman & Park.

Once road closures are in effect, drop-off & pick-up will be at Wilson and Mattagami Blvd. Service should on the ½ hour.  Lamarche encourages the use of public transportation.

And another note, the entire venue is smoke free.

 

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