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Nanaimo getting ready to celebrate Canada’s big day

Canada Day celebrations take place at Maffeo Sutton Park on Saturday (July 1)
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Members of the Canada 150 Choir look forward to being part of the Canada Day celebrations on Saturday (July 1) at Maffeo Sutton Park. The choir, a mix of members from various choral groups in the city, are among the musical entertainment taking the stage that evening.

The celebration will be a little bit bigger and louder this Canada Day in Nanaimo.

Nanaimo will be celebrating Canada’s 150th birthday on Saturday (July 1) at Maffeo Sutton Park beginning at 10 a.m.

The day will feature a range of family-friendly activities, such as arts and crafts, interactive booths, dance performances and children’s entertainment. There will also be a bathtub run from Nanaimo to Vancouver, commememorating the first bathtub race in 1967, at 11 a.m. and people will have an opportunity to tour the HMCS Nanaimo, which will be docked at the visiting vessel pier from 1-4 p.m.

At 6 p.m. there will be a special Canada 150 concert featuring live performances from Tiller’s Folly, David Gogo, Calvin Dyck, Ken Lavigne, Fiddelium, the Nanaimo Musicians’ Association Big Band and the Canada 150 Choir, which is made up various choir members from around Nanaimo.

Patricia Plumley, Canada 150 choir director, said her members will be singing a wide range of Canadian songs. She said they’re all excited to be performing on such an important day.

“I feel that we’ve had tons of fun and we are honoured to present Canadian music,” she said. “The fact that we are going to present it to a huge crowd is just so exciting.”

Tricia Barnes, choir member, said with all the negativity in the world right now, there is nothing better than singing and bringing people together.

“All of us love music and we love to sing and it brings hearts together,” she said. “That’s what music does. Everyday you hear of negativity and singing bring love and joy and I think that is what is important.”

Diana Johnstone, choir member said she is incredibly proud to be Canadian and can’t wait to perform.

“We’re strong, we’re proud and we are free,” she said. “We are really looking forward to Saturday evening and we hope thousands of people come out to the park.”

Food vendors will be at the park from 10 a.m.-8 p.m.

There will be performers on the Lions Pavilion stage from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., and there will be dancers and other entertainment on a community stage from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

The festivities will conclude with a live firework display at 10 p.m.

For more information on Canada Day celebrations, please visit www.nanaimo150.com.

reporter2@nanaimobulletin.com