The Town of Altona is all set to celebrate Canada Day in a big way.
“It’s kind of cool that it falls on a Monday this year,” says recreation programmer Brittany Winkler of July 1st. “It kind of rounds out the long weekend, so hopefully, more people will be around to come and celebrate with us.”
Throughout the day, Centennial Park will be the place to be, with a plethora of free activities and events for the whole family.
The fun begins at 1 p.m. with free swimming all day at the Altona Aquatic Centre.
Make sure you stick around until 4 p.m. when there will be inflatables and cotton candy available for everyone.
You can also dress up your bike and join the parade. Meet at shelter #3 near the playground at 4 p.m. where Sunflower Festival royalty will be on hand to judge and hand out prizes for says.
The hunt will take place outdoors at the park, at Gallery in the Park, and at the Millennium Exhibition Centre. The winner will be announced a few days later.
Meanwhile, the Prancing Pony Petting Zoo will also be set up at the park, featuring all your favourite furry and feathered creatures to feed, pet, and hold.
At 5 p.m., little ones can enjoy a Kiddie Carnival, run by Manitoba Queen Quest royalty and entrants, with all kinds of activities to enjoy.
To satisfy your appetite, there will be a variety of food trucks set up at the park from 4-10:30 p.m., free watermelon and roll kuchen handed out at 6:30 p.m., and Canada Day cupcakes at 7:30 p.m.
Meanwhile, baseball fans will be thrilled to watch the Jr. Bisons take on the Carillon Sultans under the lights at Access Field.
The evening will also be packed with entertainment. After opening ceremonies at 8 p.m., The Pylons will take the stage at 8:15 p.m. followed by Nick of Time.
At 9:15 p.m., the contestants vying for the crown in the Manitoba Sunflower Queen Quest will be introducing themselves, followed by another round of music by Nick of Time.
The day ends with a bang with fireworks presented at 10:30 p.m. behind the exhibition centre.
“It’s going to be a really great day,” Winkler says. “Hopefully we’ll have a lot of people at the park, with maybe some coming back from their cabins or camping, and ready to celebrate.
