Fort Saskatchewan Ready to Celebrate Canada’s 145th

Canada’s 145th birthday is this Sunday, and the festivities in Fort Saskatchewan are ready to roll.

The day kicks off with a pancake breakfast from 8 to 10 a.m. in the Legion parking lot, organized by the Fort Saskatchewan Fire Department and sponsored by Dow Chemical. All proceeds go to Muscular Dystrophy Canada.

Before hitting the parade route, parade-goers can catch a brief 20-minute WWII skirmish at 11 a.m. behind Sobeys as the troops prepare for their full-scale battle later in the day.

The annual parade, presented by ATB Financial, hits the streets at noon this year starting at the JRC ice arena.

The opening ceremonies take place on stage at 2 p.m. in Legacy Park. Headliner Duane Steele follows at 2:30, while the traditional birthday cupcakes and ice cream are served free of charge, courtesy of Agrium. Steele’s performance will be followed by a WWII re-enactment at 3:45 that will see a joint U.S.-Canada special force take on Axis troops behind Sobeys.

The stage entertainment continues right up until 10 p.m. this year with Big Red Shoe, the Gates Family, the Life Church Band, and Sun, Snow & Our Show rounding out the lineup of evening performers courtesy of Sherritt.

From 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. a park-and-ride will run between Fort Mall and Legacy Park, thanks to Musgrave’s Hospitality Inns and Suites. Riders can step on the shuttle at the Fort Mall sign on the 99th Avenue side of the parking lot to take them to the park.

In addition to the stage entertainment, Legacy Park and Peter T. Ream Historic Park will be alive with activity, including the Street Runners Car Show & Shine from 11 to 3, the Rotary Club Kids’ Korner from 2 to 6 and many other activities all day.

The annual Canada Day farmers’ market hosted by the Chamber of Commerce runs from 11 to 6. A barbecue with donations to the food bank will be held at the Nazarene Church following the parade. The annual pie sale at the Anglican Church runs early in the afternoon. Plus, the Legion hosts a Ukrainian meal and Pioneer House puts beef on a bun.

Finally, the day is capped with a 12-minute fireworks spectacle in the river valley near Peter T. Ream Historic Park. The fireworks will launch around 10:45 p.m., depending on when the sun sets.