We’re all itching for the live music and cookouts with Canada Day on the horizon. Luckily, there’s no shortage of fun to be had at this year’s many Kawartha Lakes celebrations! Here’s just a few events you can visit over the Canada Day long weekend.
June 30
Woodville
If you’re feeling an emphatic sense of national pride that you just can’t hold in for another day, or if you just want to catch as many fireworks shows as possible, visit Woodville/Eldon Community Hub on June 30. The lake’s first fireworks take flight at 9 p.m., just as the sun sets on the first half of 2023.
July 1
Bobcaygeon
July 1 is a full day of fun at the biggest Kawartha Lakes Canada Day event. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Bobcaygeon Fair Grounds, enjoy an assortment of hotdogs, cakes, and ice creams before getting your face painted, queuing for a turn on the bouncy castle, or joining a children’s race. Make sure not to miss the celebration parade starting at 2:30 p.m. or the massive 360-degree firework display at Tommy Anderson Park beginning at 10 p.m.
Fenelon Falls
If you live closer to Cameron Lake, Fenelon Falls has the festival for you. Starting at 10 a.m., Garnet Graham Park will be open for pony rides, an educational petting zoo, Pool Noodle Olympics, mini hockey, and much more. Fireworks start at 10:15 p.m. at the park and Maryboro Lodge.
Ashburn
Ashburn has a free daytime event with games for kids, a market, and a small petting zoo with horses and goats at Silverfox Farms. People who have bought tickets to the Royal Ashburn Golf Club’s evening events will also experience live music, a barbecue meal plan, and their dusk fireworks display.
Kinmount
Starting at 5:30 p.m., Kinmount Fair Grounds will feature live music performed by Gord Kidd & Friends, horse-drawn wagon rides, barbecue hotdogs and hamburgers, and a Royal Canadian Legion colour parade starting at 7 p.m. Strawberry-based meals are also available at Galway Hall at 4 and 5:30 p.m., and fireworks start at dusk.
Buckhorn
Meet critters or birds of prey, build a car or build with Lego, and enjoy some cupcakes or barbecue at Buckhorn Community Centre. Be sure not to miss the dog sports event at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., or comedian and juggler John Park at 11 a.m., 1:15 p.m., and 3 p.m. There will also be an all-day marketplace and crafts table.
North Kawartha
Apsley Lions Club will start their Canada Day parade at 4 p.m., winding their way through the streets from Apsley Public School to Lions Park, where the city will celebrate with games and food until 6 p.m. Fireworks start at dusk.
Lindsay
Test your problem-solving skills at the Wilson Fields obstacle course as of 4 p.m., when Lindsay will be kicking off its celebrations! Face painting, balloon twisting, and live entertainment will precede the 10 p.m. fireworks display set to music. If you live in Lindsay and feel like helping out, the organizers are still looking for volunteers.
Kawagama Lake
Old Mill Marina is celebrating its third annual Canada Day event with live music from 3 to 7 p.m., featuring Barrie-based rock band BottomsUp. The mill is also offering food from local vendors, including Four Bros. Fries and Kawartha Dairy.
Norland
Minden and Haliburton residents won’t want to miss the special Canada Day performance by Master Magician Rob Power, an expert stage performer and illusionist, at Minden Hills Cultural Centre. There will also be tours, demonstrations, and children’s events from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., an annual Minden fishing derby at 8 a.m., a Canada Day Pridemobile at Minden Auto Care lot, and fireworks at dusk.
Omemee
If a pancake breakfast and a reptile display don’t make for the perfect Canada Day, Omemee is also hosting its annual dog show, a series of children’s races, a bake sale, and a barbecue too. These events take place at Omemee Municipal Park, the Coronation Hall, Trinity Church, and the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 497, with fireworks at dusk.
July 2
Coboconk
Don’t put away your flags just yet, there’s one more celebration to be had at Kawartha Lakes Citivan Club in Coboconk! Tune in from 7 to 11 p.m. for a live performance by the band Disguise. And if you missed your fill of Kawartha Dairy at the Kawagama Lake event, now’s your last chance to grab some free ice cream before fireworks at dusk.
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