JUNO award winning band Wintersleep and platinum-selling pop artist Ria Mae will co-headline this year’s Capital City Canada Day celebrations at Victoria Park.
This year’s festivities will feature a full day of free, family-friendly activities, live music by other favourite performers and a spectacular fireworks display at dusk. Here is a schedule of the events for Wednesday, July 1.
Triathlon PEI presents: Victoria Park Kids of Steel Triathlon
Time: 8 to 9:30 a.m.
Details: Triathlon PEI will host its annual children’s triathlon in Victoria Park as part of Triathlon Canada’s Kids of Steel program. This program is designed to give youth the opportunity to experience the sport of triathlon in a positive environment with shorter distances than an adult triathlon.
Registration and a fee are required to participate. For more information, visit
tripei.ca.
21 Gun Salute
Time: 12 p.m.
Details: The P.E.I. Regiment will commemorate Canada Day with a 21-gun salute at the Victoria Park cannons.
Family Fun Zone
Time: 12 to 7 p.m.
Details: Visit the family fun zone and celebrate Canada with kid-friendly games, inflatables, community activations and festive giveaways throughout the day (while supplies last).
Plus, Indigenous P.E.I. will return with an interactive pop-up featuring local Indigenous artisan vendors and cultural demonstrations.
Tastes of Canada (and Beyond)
Time: 12 to 10 p.m.
Details: Travel with your tastebuds at the Tastes of Canada (and beyond) food vendor zone. Local vendors will be serving up delicious flavours from Canada, Mexico, Nigeria, Jamaica, Philippines, and more.
Official Opening Ceremony
Time: 1:30 p.m.
Details: Join us for the Official Opening Ceremony to kick off our Canada Day celebrations. Attendees will hear from Mayor Philip Brown and other special guests including P.E.I. Premier Rob Lantz, MP Sean Casey and Mi’kmaq storyteller Alex MacLean.
This year’s opening ceremonies will also feature a poetry reading as part of the Canadian Capital Cities Organization’s National Poetry Project. A poem written by Prince Edward Island’s Poet Laureate, Bren Simmers, will be presented by Kylee Bustard.
Coastal Vibes – All-Day Musical Celebration
Time: 2 to 10 p.m.
Details: Enjoy an afternoon and evening filled with live music from a lineup of talented musicians at the Cultural Pavillion in Victoria Park. Coastal Vibes will be headlined by JUNO Award-winning indie rock band Wintersleep and platinum-selling pop artist Ria Mae.
The stage lineup will feature additional live performances by Logan Richard, as well as Vishtèn and The Soosh. Attendees will also enjoy beats by DJ Gufaah between sets throughout the day.
Returning for its fifth year during Coastal Vibes is “Understanding our Past, Reconciling our Future,” an engaging conversation with local leaders in the Mi’kmaq community. This year’s series will be hosted by special guest, Richard Pelissier-Lush.
Canada Day Drumming
Time: 3:20 to 3:35 p.m.
Details: As part of this year’s programming, the Coastal Vibes Stage will feature live drumming and performances through Canada Day Drumming—an initiative that connects communities nationwide in a coordinated drumming celebration from coast to coast.
Fireworks and Noise-Cancelling Headphone Program
Time: 10 p.m.
Details: A brilliant display of lights and colours launched from a barge in Charlottetown Harbour.
The City has once again partnered with the Autism Society of P.E.I. to lend noise-cancelling headphones to individuals with sensory sensitivities.
A limited number of noise-cancelling headphones will be available to borrow at no cost to attendees with sensory needs who want to enjoy the fireworks.
Headphone distribution will begin at 9 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis. Volunteers from the Autism Society of P.E.I. will be on-site to assist with distribution of the headphones.
Attendees are encouraged to use active transportation or transit when travelling to and from the event. Special T3 Transit service will be provided to help attendees reach the event and avoid parking congestion. If attendees choose to drive to the event, the City encourages carpooling and parking throughout the downtown core or at the government parking lot on Terry Fox Drive. Bike Friendly Communities PEI will be on-site operating a bike valet and will accept any form of wheeled transportation including bikes, skateboards, strollers, scooters, etc.
All Capital City Canada Day activities are weather permitting. Cancellations or weather-related announcements will be shared on the City's social media channels including Facebook
@CityofCharlottetown and Instagram
@city_of_charlottetown.
This project has been made possible in part by the Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage’s Celebration and Commemoration Program, Celebrate Canada Component.
Visit
charlottetown.ca/canadaday for more information about Capital City Canada Day, including a detailed schedule of events.
Canada Day celebrations in Charlottetown will continue beyond July 1, with Discover Charlottetown presenting the inaugural Sundrift Sound DJ Festival from July 2 to 4. The multi-day festival will bring music to venues across the city, featuring rooftop sets, patio parties, and the Sunset Series along the waterfront. Highlights include Skratch Bastid at Lobster on the Wharf and Pineo & Loeb performing at Peake’s Quay. Additional waterfront performances and local DJs will be featured downtown. Ticket details and the complete schedule of events can be found at
sundriftfestival.com.
Quotes:
“Capital City Canada Day is one of Charlottetown’s signature summer celebrations and an opportunity for residents and visitors to come together to celebrate our shared history, culture and Canadian talent in the birthplace of Confederation. We’re excited to once again welcome thousands of people to Victoria Park for a day filled with live entertainment, family-friendly activities and memorable experiences.” – Mayor Philip Brown, City of Charlottetown
“Each year, Capital City Canada Day brings people together through music, culture, food and shared experiences in the heart of Charlottetown. This year’s celebration features an exciting lineup of Canadian performers and diverse programming for all ages. We’re proud to continue working with community partners to create an event that is inclusive, welcoming, and enjoyable for residents and visitors of all ages.” – Councillor Terry Bernard, Chair of the Economic, Tourism and Cultural Development Committee for the City of Charlottetown