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Vikings, Pioneer Days, Passports and “CCR” help ring in Canada’s Birthday

June 23, 2016   ·   0 Comments

By Brock Weir

Take a trip around Canada without leaving Aurora, catch up with Vikings, and chill out before fireworks to a tribute to Credence Clearwater Revival as Lambert Willson Park becomes Birthday Party Central this Canada Day.

The Town of Aurora’s day-long festivities get underway at the park, which is located on Industrial Parkway North behind the Aurora Family Leisure Complex, with the traditional re-affirmation of Canadian citizenship ceremony, a pancake breakfast served up by the Optimist Club of Aurora, and the official cutting of Canada’s birthday cake led by Mayor Geoff Dawe and Mary Georgopoulos, Aurora’s Citizen of the Year.

Live entertainment is the order of the day with performances from the Aurora Community Band setting the tone, followed throughout July 1 by The Mudmen, The Glenn Marais Band, the final round and crowning the 2016 Aurora Teen Idol, and Green River Revival, a tribute to CCR.

“Last year was the first year we had the Aurora Community Band and it was fabulous,” says Shelley Ware, Special Events Coordinator for the Town of Aurora. “The Mudmen is definitely going to give us our share of pipes and Celtic music, and we are very fortunate to have been able to secure them because they are actually due in Kincardine and once they get off our stage they are immediately going there.

“We are really pleased to have the Glenn Marais Band participating. This year we have moved Aurora Teen Idol to 6 p.m., which is always a huge highlight for me. Immediately following the Aurora Teen Idol is Green River Revival.”

While the live music will go a long way to provide the party atmosphere, Ms. Ware is particularly excited about the activities planned to help young Aurorans – and the young at heart – get back in touch with their roots and the history and culture of Canada.

“The item I am always most passionate about is the Canada Day Passport because it is such a unique concept,” says Ms. Ware of the stations that will be set up to allow party-goers to experience a unique facet of each province and territory. “They actually travel across Canada and do interactive activities related to that particular location. They get to learn something while they get to play.

“I am also really excited this year that we have Black Creek Pioneer village doing an interactive activity for the Province of Ontario, which is re-enacting children’s pioneer chores, and we also have a Viking organization coming in and setting up a display, educating people on the Viking settlement of Newfoundland. At Canada Day, we are able to bring in unique cultural experiences I am hoping the attendees wouldn’t typically be exposed to.”

Additional activities include an Antique and Classic Car Show presented by the Aurora Classic and Custom Car Club, a Kids Workshop presented by Home Depot, a horseshoe tournament (on-site registration required), and a community zone where community groups can promote themselves while providing some interactive games for kids.

         

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