CENTRE WELLINGTON – In Centre Wellington, Canada’s birthday party moves between Elora in the morning and Fergus in the afternoon, and wraps up with fireworks at 9:30pm at the Centre Wellington Community Sportsplex.
“Call me sentimental, but the programming in place is very similar to the programs we’ve done for decades,” said Centre Wellington’s tourism and destination coordinator Deb Dalziel.
“It’s traditional and wonderful and exactly what we’ve missed these past couple of years.”
From 7 to 11am, enjoy a pancake breakfast at MacDonald Square in Elora.
The food is prepared and served by Elora volunteer firefighters and is a fundraiser for the organization’s pet charities. Then, just up the street is the soap box derby from 8 to 11am at David and Geddes streets.
The soap box derby is organized by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Centre Wellington, and while there is no entrance fee, participants must pre-register.
When the derby is done, the Dominion Day parade begins. Marshalling begins around 10:15am at the Elora Community Centre and the parade gets going at 11am – east on David Street, south on Geddes and Metcalfe streets, east on Mill Street East and into Bissell Park.
“That gets you there in time for lunch,” Dalziel said, adding the Elora Lions Club is providing free hot dogs and beverages.
Food will be served from noon to 1pm and there will be family-friendly entertainment including a Diamonds in the Ruff dog agility show and the Blue Bonnet Lassies School of Highland Dance.
At 1:30pm the Centre Wellington Rotary Club is holding its rubber duck race.
“It’s probably way more fun watching the kayakers as they try and keep the ducks from going over the waterfall,” Dalziel said.
Rubber ducks are on sale now from Rotary Club members.
There’s a bit of down time before things ramp up in Fergus. But from 4pm to after dark, the CW Community Sportsplex is the place to be.
From 4 to 4:30pm there will be a kids fashion show; family bingo from 4:45 to 5:45pm; a wandering magician from 5 to 7pm; a fashion show from 6 to 6:45pm; and a magic show from 7 to 8pm.
A DJ starts playing music from 8 to 9:30pm and the fireworks begin around 9:30pm.
There will be food trucks on site for those who don’t pack a picnic.
“Canada Day in Fergus and Elora would not be possible without the Rotary Club of Fergus-Elora, Centre Wellington Rotary Club, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Centre Wellington, the Elora firefighters and the Elora Lions Club,” Dalziel said.
“I find it soothing and comforting to have the traditional programming coming back. I hope local residents will feel the same way.”
