Celebrate Canada Day at Burlington's Spencer Smith Park

If you're planning on staying in the City for Canada Day, Burlington has plenty of ways for residents to celebrate.Celebrate Canada's birthday at Spencer Smith ParkThe annual Canada Day Celebrations, presented by Canadian Tire – Burlington Store, returns to Spencer Smith Park on Monday, July 1 from 2-11 p.m. for a day of Canadian-inspired entertainment and activities.Marking our nation’s 152^nd anniversary of confederation, the City of Burlington’s Canada Day will officially kick off at 4 p.m. with the Burlington Teen Tour Band and remarks from special guests, including myself and the Mayor of Itabashi, Burlington’s twin city, Mr. Takeshi Sakamoto. The Citizenship Ceremony will take place at 1 p.m. at the gazebo (more details on that further down).This year's celebrations will be extra special as I and the City of Burlington will be hosting Mayor Sakamoto and an Official Delegation from Itabashi from July 1-2. Click the link for more details on the events happening for that.

"Year after year, this is one of the most popular and well-attended events. A lot of time and effort goes into the Canada Day celebration and for good reason. We have a lot to be thankful for and to celebrate, so bring the family down to Spencer Smith Park or get together with your neighbours and friends to celebrate. No matter where you go, just go together and have fun." — Chris Glenn, Director of Parks and Recreation

Entertainment on the main stage will include:

• Bharatham Academy of Indian Dance at 2:30 p.m.
• Opening ceremonies featuring Burlington Teen Tour Band and Japanese Taiko and Music Group at 4 p.m.
• White Pine Dancers at 5:30 p.m.
• Symphony on the Bay at 7 p.m.
• Guitarist Johannes Linstead at 8:30 p.m.
• Fireworks presented by BUNZL at 10 p.m.

Fun activities planned in the park include:

• Yoga by the Pier at 9 a.m.
• Canada Day 5k at 10 a.m.
• Citizenship Ceremony at 1 p.m.

Other event highlights: stilt walkers, face painters, hair artists, giant inflatables, sampling booths, great food, vendors and lots of true Canadian spirit!Free Canada Day ShuttleDowntown parking will be in high demand on July 1, so residents are encouraged to consider other transportation like cycling, walking, car pooling or Burlington Transit.A fully accessible, free shuttle service will run from 2-11 p.m. It will make stops at the Burlington GO Station (north side) and travel to the downtown bus terminal. Free bike parking will be available near the Waterfront Hotel for cyclists to secure their bikes.For more information, visit burlington.ca/canadaday, follow @BurlEvents on Twitter or call the Festivals and Events Office at 905-335-7600, ext. 7422.Other Canada Day ActivitiesThe city’s outdoor pool locations are open for unlimited access to recreational swimming for only $4.40 per person; $3.05 after 5 p.m. Hours for Canada Day are as follows:

• Nelson Pool: 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
• LaSalle Splash Park: 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
• Mountainside Pool: 11 a.m.-8 p.m.

All seven of the City’s spray pad locations are open and always free. For more information, visit burlington.ca/splashpads

CITIZENSHIP CEREMONY

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada will be hosting a Citizenship Ceremony in Spencer Smith Park on Sunday, July 1 with the help of the City of Burlington. New Canadians will take their citizenship oath in the gazebo of Spencer Smith Park at 1 p.m.I will be joining some of my federal, provincial and municipal government colleagues at the ceremony. Vocalist Melanie Jones will sing O Canada and Burlington’s Town Crier will welcome the new Canadians.What's Open and What's ClosedTo observe the holiday, a number of administrative services will be closed for Canada Day on Monday, July 1 and reopening Tuesday, July 2. For a complete listing of hours of operation, phone numbers for city facilities and available services, please visit burlington.ca.For information about what to do in Burlington on the Canada Day weekend, please visit burlington.ca/calendar and tourismburlington.com.City Hall will be closed on Monday, July 1, reopening on Tuesday, July 2.Parks and Recreation Programs and FacilitiesActivities and customer service hours at city pools, arenas and community centres vary over the holiday weekend. Please visit burlington.ca/play for a complete listing of program times and burlington.ca/servicehours for hours at customer service locations.For Canada Day Celebration activities, visit burlington.ca/canadaday. Burlington TransitBurlington Transit will operate holiday service schedule and the administration office and Specialized Dispatch will be closed on Monday, July 1, reopening on Tuesday, July 2. Visit burlingtontransit.ca for more information.Animal Shelter and ControlClosed Monday, July 1. Open 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. For more information or to report an animal control-related emergency, call 905-335-3030 or visit www.burlington.ca/animal.Roads, Parks and ForestryThe administrative office will be closed on Monday, July 1, reopening on Tuesday, July 2. Only urgent services will be provided.Halton Court ServicesProvincial Offences Courts will be closed on Monday, July 1, reopening on Tuesday, July 2.ParkingFree parking is available in the downtown core at all pay machines located on the street, municipal lots and the parking garage on weekends and holidays.NOTE: The Waterfront parking lots (east and west) do not provide free parking on statutory holidays.Do you have family and friends visiting for the holiday weekend? A reminder that there is no parking on city streets overnight between 1 and 6 a.m. Exemptions to allow overnight parking on city streets may be obtained by calling 905-335-7844 or visiting www.burlington.ca/parking.Fireworks SafetyA reminder from the Burlington Fire Department: the safest way to enjoy fireworks this Canada Day is to let the professionals handle the lighting and fireworks display. If you do have fireworks planned for your celebrations, please click the link to find out what you need to know and for some safety tips.  MY TAKE:We have so much to be thankful for in Canada. We have the greatest nation, the greatest people and now, the greatest basketball team! I look forward to seeing everyone celebrate out country together in Burlington on Canada Day. The strength of Canada comes from the diversity of our backgrounds, and Burlington is a great example of that. Every one of our citizens has a role to play in making our city a welcoming and inclusive one. When we collaborate and bring together our collective strengths, knowledge and compassion, we can accomplish great things. Congratulations to all of our new Canadians and welcome to Burlington.