(PHOTO: Canada Day fireworks in Stittsville. Photo by B.R. Ravishankar.)
Live, local, entertainment, a teeming Family Fun Zone, and spectacular fireworks will be the three main pillars behind Canada Day in Stittsville 2019.
The annual July 1st party is hosted by the Stittsville Village Association, a group of volunteers working to preserve and promote Stittsville’s village character through advocacy and social events.
“Canada Day in Stittsville offers a different kind of celebration than the big bashes you see downtown or in other communities,” says SVA President and Canada Day organizer Tanya Hein. “We really focus on a simple, village-inspired event – one that brings together neighbours, families, local businesses, and service organizations. We couldn’t operate without volunteers and community partnerships.”
Hein says she is expecting about 8000 people to be on the grounds of Sacred Heart High School (5870 Abbott St.) over the course of the celebration, which begins with an opening ceremony and birthday cupcakes at 1:00 pm, and ends around 10:00 pm.
“We have a big, beautiful site with plenty of room to enjoy local singers and musicians on the Celebrate Canada Day Stage, and short line ups for attractions in the Family Fun Zone,” Hein says. There will be a Goulbourn Museum photo booth, a zipline, bouncy castles, face painting, princesses, a petting zoo, games, horse and wagon rides in the Family Fun Zone, and Crave Tacos, Jo-Jo’s Pizza, and Pong’s Poutine will also be on site, serving up local fare.
The Brown Family will be on hand with a ‘Rock Out for Jack’ water and sunscreen station. Jack is a young boy living with CHARGE syndrome and his family will be accepting donations toward some of his ongoing medical expenses. Learn more about Jack at: https://ca.gofundme.com/jackbrown .
At dusk, children will be invited to pick up a glow necklace and everyone is welcome to dance and enjoy the music until the fireworks display begins at 9:45 pm sharp. Performers include: Patricia Pope, Wild & Crazy, Cleen Sweep, The Flying Hibachis, Elaine Dandrige Trio, Quinnzelle, River Blues Band, and Crooked Cowboys.
The majority of funding for Canada Day comes from local businesses, Hein says, with the remaining portion covered by grants from Canadian Heritage and the City of Ottawa, and a also donation from Councillor Glen Gower. This year’s business sponsors include Mattamy Homes (fireworks), Tartan Homes (face painting), Brown’s Your Independent Grocer and Bradley’s Insurance (petting zoo), Thomas Cavanagh Construction (stage), Sharkey’s Towing (moving stage), Stittsville Glass & Sign (signage), as well as event sponsors Warmstone Family Dentistry, PBC Sweetnam, and BrokerLink, and supporter Thailicious.
“The community really supports this event,” Hein notes. “We absolutely could not do this without the generosity of local businesses and volunteers.”
Hein said the event could use more volunteers, and anyone who can help out July 1st (or July 2nd for clean up), even for a short time, is asked to email stittsvillevillage@gmail.com or to call 613-686-1842. Additional details and schedule notes for Canada Day in Stittsville are available at: https://www.stittsvilleva.com/canadaday/.
