Canada Day 2011 in Vancouver: Events You Must Check Out

Canada celebrates its 144th birthday July 1st, and Vancouver is ready to party

 

Canada Day in Vancouver is here and deciding which event to attend can be a difficult choice. Here are some of the city’s top spots to celebrate Canada’s 144th birthday.
 

Canada Place

Billed as one of the nation’s biggest Canada Day celebrations, festivities kick off at 10 a.m. with five waterfront stages featuring over 30 bands.

Other activities include: Art displays and short films at the Vancouver Convention Centre East Facility, demonstration matches by the Terminal City Roller Girls, various sports shows and demonstrations, the Peacekeeping Nation exhibit featuring displays from Canada’s military and an Afghanistan tribute wall, a citizenship ceremony hosted by Global BC’s Chris Gailus, a Kokoma African dance workshop and much more.

Many of the events are indoors, so check out Canada Day at Canada Place if the weather looks ugly. The events wrap up at 7 p.m. with the Canada Day parade.
 

Granville Island

People outside the Net Loft during Granville Island’s Canada Day festival. (Flickr/RyAwesome)

 

Granville Island hosts one of the most popular Canada Day celebrations in the city. In addition to the regular street performers and buskers there will be a many free events for people to enjoy.

The 12th annual Canada Day Parade runs from 1:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. There will be stilt dancers, lion dancers and The Carnival Band. Bring your decorated bike and join in at the end of the parade. The official Canada Day ceremony begins at 2 p.m. and features the singing of the national anthem and free cake for kids.

The Children’s Pavilion will host a free show from Jou Tou, a world-music group. Performances begin at 10:30 a.m. and 1:45 p.m. in both French and English.

Finish the night off with a spectacular performance by the Voiliers Spectacle, as they perform a free acrobatic show in the rigging of their sailboat. Shows are 20 minutes long and begin at 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
 

Robson Street

Join your neighbours for a free Canada Day street party on Robson Street. The festivities take place between Burrard Street and Jervis Street from noon to 6 p.m. Along with face painting and flag waving, the event will feature street performers and Aché Brasil (a Brazilian Dance group) from noon to 2 p.m.

Soulstream, a 10-piece, soul, funk and jazz band will perform from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the main stage set up at the corner of Bute Street and Robson Street.  
 

Waterfront Park in North Vancouver

North Vancouver’s Waterfront Park will be host to Canada Day activities and entertainment from noon to 4 p.m.

Highlights include: inflatable slides, a climbing wall, a mini golf course, costumed stilt walkers and much more. Catch performances by the Shin Myung Korean Drum Group at 11:45 a.m., the North Shore Celtic Ensemble at 2:05 p.m. and a martial arts demonstration by United Studios of Self Defense at 3:15 p.m.

Don’t forget to check out the main ceremony that kicks off with the J.P. Fell Pipe Band piping in dignitaries at 1 p.m.  
 

Burrard Inlet fireworks

Canada Day fireworks in Burrard Inlet. (Flikr/Astro Guy)

 

The show starts at 10:30 p.m. and features lots of pyrotechnics. The fireworks can be seen from various locations around the city including, West Vancouver, Stanley Park, Coal Harbour and North Vancouver.