Chestermere will mark Canada’s 159th birthday with a full day of community celebration at John Peake Park on Wednesday, July 1.
The City of Chestermere’s Canada Day event will run from 9 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., bringing residents and visitors together along the lake for a day of food, music, children’s activities, local vendors and fireworks.
The celebration begins in familiar community fashion, with a pancake breakfast scheduled from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Opening remarks from Mayor Shannon Dean and members of city council are set for 10 a.m., followed by a full day of stage entertainment.
Live performances will begin at 10:15 a.m. with Young Bhangra, followed by Jody the Magician at 11 a.m. Dorienne Proulx will perform at noon, with Jaiden Riley and the Cry Babies taking the stage at 1:30 p.m. The afternoon lineup continues with The Blenders at 3 p.m. and JG n’ The District at 4:30 p.m.
Evening entertainment will feature Morrissey’s Private Stock at 6 p.m., followed by Cream and Sugar Band at 8:30 p.m., carrying the celebration toward the fireworks finale.
Along with the stage schedule, the event will include carnival games, kids’ activities, face painting, balloon artists, glitter tattoos, wagon rides, a petting zoo, food trucks, artisan vendors and Canada Day treats, including cake and pizza. A beer garden for adults 18 and over is scheduled to operate from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m.
For many families, Canada Day in Chestermere has become one of the city’s signature summer gatherings, with John Peake Park offering a central location close to the lake, pathways, businesses and City Hall. The day also brings extra traffic into the area, and the City is encouraging residents to plan ahead.
Road closures will be in effect around John Peake Park and City Hall throughout the event. Limited parking will be available nearby, and the City is strongly encouraging the use of its free shuttle service to help reduce congestion.
The shuttle will run every 30 minutes from Our Lady of Wisdom School and East Lake School between 3 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. Accessible parking and washrooms will be available on-site and nearby. The boat launch is expected to remain open during the celebration.
The day will close with fireworks over Chestermere Lake at 10:45 p.m., weather permitting. The City is reminding motorists that stopping or parking on the Chestermere Boulevard bridge during the fireworks display is not permitted.
Admission to the celebration is free, and no tickets are required.
Residents planning to attend are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, picnic blankets, sunscreen, water and clothing suited to changing summer weather. With a full day of programming, families may also want to arrive early, use the shuttle where possible, and give themselves extra time to move through the event area.
From pancakes in the morning to fireworks over the lake at night, Chestermere’s Canada Day celebration is being planned as a full community day by the water, with something for children, families, music fans and neighbours simply looking to spend the holiday close to home.