By Amber Tompsett and LaShaina Blair-White
More family fun events are expected at this year’s Canada Day celebration open to the community on July 1st at Zwick’s Island Park.
The Canada Day celebration is bound to have something for everyone, said Canada Day committee member Dwane Barratt. In addition to events offered in previous years, new events like the car and motorcycle show, and mini golf have been added. The whole family can come out and enjoy the day, he said. Children can play in the inflatables and bouncies, while others enjoy the various musicians scheduled throughout the day. The free event starts at 9 a.m. with the annual fun run.
“To the end of the night, we have the locomotion of fire” he said.
Between 10,000 to 12,000 people are expected to attend this year as it is open to everyone, he said. The event is free to everyone with a $3 parking charge.
It brings together family and friends, says Brandie Quiring of the Belleville Canada Day Committee.
Belleville was in jeopardy of missing out on celebrating Canada’s birthday. The event is estimated to cost around $50,000 and organizers are struggling to raise the money and find volunteers to help out members of the committee, according to recent media reports.
Sponsors and the community have worked together to help keep the event alive.
To date the committee have raised 97 percent of their goal of $50,000, Barratt said.
The Belleville Canada Day Committee has reached 75 percent of their volunteer goal. They are a still currently looking for more. An orientation is being held on June 25 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. for everyone interested in helping out.
Despite this year’s financial struggles the future of Canada Day in Belleville is bright.
The event will definitely happen next year, Quiring said..