Thousands are expected to gather at Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park on Tuesday as the City of Prince George hosts its annual Canada Day in the Park celebration.
The event, running from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., is expected to draw as many as 20,000 attendees and will feature multicultural food, live entertainment, games, a kids’ zone and a bustling vendor market. Admission is free.
Environment Canada is calling for a high of 25 C with a 40 per cent chance of rain Tuesday.
Despite recent rainfall, the city announced that is not hosting fireworks this year due to the current BC Wildfire burning restrictions.
The main stage will feature a full schedule of performances, beginning with the Prince George Community Band at 11 a.m., followed by an official opening ceremony at noon that includes the singing of O Canada.
Entertainment throughout the day includes traditional drumming, Ukrainian dancers, bhangra performances, and acts such as Big Enuff Big Band, Rogers & Sargent, and dancers from Judy Russell Presents/Enchainement Dance Centre.
Families can enjoy a wide range of kid-friendly activities in the Kids Zone. Highlights include bouncy castles, face-painting, and hands-on activities led by the Prince George Public Library, UNBC Chess Club, Two Rivers Art Gallery and Engage Sport North.
The Multicultural Heritage Society is also hosting international games, while the Prince George Brain Injured Group and Koops Bike Shop will be on hand promoting bike safety alongside cycling fundraiser participants from Texas 4,000 for Cancer.
Food lovers will find no shortage of options at the Food Pavilion, with vendors offering everything from Indian curries and Ukrainian pierogis to kettle corn, chocolate and bubble tea. Vendors include Afro Caribbean Cuisine, Japanese Student Association, Kali Mandir and Island Flava, among others.
To help ease parking concerns, a free and accessible shuttle will run between the Canfor Leisure Pool and the park every 30 minutes from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., courtesy of Pacific Western Charters Ltd. and Northern Health Connections. The pickup point is located on 7th Avenue outside the leisure pool.
Shuttle Schedule
Departs Canfor Leisure Pool / Arrives Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park
- 11 a.m. / 11:30 a.m.
- Noon / 12:30 p.m.
- 1 p.m. / 1:30 p.m.
- 2 p.m. / 2:30 p.m.
- 3 p.m. / 3:30 p.m.
- 4 p.m. / 4:30 p.m.
- 5 p.m. / 5:30 p.m.
- 6 p.m. / 6:30 p.m.
Canfor Stage Entertainment Schedule
- 11 a.m. – Prince George Community Band
- Noon – Opening ceremonies – O Canada
- 12:30 p.m. – Zahirah Dance Studio – Troupe Zahirah
- 12:50 p.m. – Ivan Paquette
- 1:25 p.m. – Big Enuff Big Band
- 1:55 p.m. – Special Olympics BC–PG / Good Juju
- 2:25 p.m. – Khast’an Drummers
- 2:45 p.m. – Yalenka Ukrainian Dancers
- 3:20 p.m. – BC Old Time Fiddlers
- 3:50 p.m. – Rogers & Sargent
- 4:10 p.m. – Excalibur Theatre Arts
- 4:30 p.m. – Dance with Samiksha
- 4:35 p.m. – Bollywood Dream Dancers
- 4:55 p.m. – Twasome Highland Troupe and Lorna Carbutt School of Dance
- 5:15 p.m. – PG Bhangra Roots
- 5:30 p.m. – Judy Russell Presents / Enchainement Dance Centre
City officials remind attendees that performance times and participants are subject to change.
