Celebrate Canada Day across the Southeast

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This article was published 29/06/2023 (729 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

For the past 25 years, Vita has been holding major events to celebrate Canada Day and every year they have something different from the last.

“This is something that our community is known for,” said Angela Boychuk, treasurer. “And we have some of the best fireworks around. It’s a long show done by a local provider and local people choreograph it.

“New this year is the wrestling and the lawnmower races. We try to add something new every year to make it better for people to come out and see. There is a lot of stuff for every age group and we have a busy weekend full of events.”

Vita kicks off its celebrations on Friday at 4 p.m. with a number of food trucks and kids activities; team roping from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.; chainsaw carving demo from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.; lawnmower races from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.; and CWE wrestling from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m.

On Saturday, there is a pancake breakfast from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.; a parade at 10 a.m.; a strongman competition from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.; Diamond Disc Dog Stunt Show from 2:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.; arm wrestling from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.; a live performance by the band Almost Famous from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.; and finally a fireworks show at 10:45 p.m.

On Sunday, Vita will host a cornhole tournament from noon to 2 p.m. and bingo at 2 p.m.

Wristbands are required for admission and can be purchased at Sumthing Special, Vita Co-op, and Dueck Drug Store for $13 or $15 at the gate. Kids five and under come in free. The wrist bands are valid for Friday and Saturday. Kids activities are free with wristbands and wristbands are not required for the pancake breakfast or bingo. No pets are allowed. The event will be held at the Shevchenko School grounds at 100 School Ave.

Mennonite Heritage Village and City of Steinbach

The Mennonite Heritage Village will also hold Canada Day celebrations with events running from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. There will be a Canada Day ceremony at 11 a.m. and a tractor show at 11:30 a.m. There will also be horse drawn wagon rides, activities for kids, musical entertainment, and waffles with white sauce throughout the day. The Mennonite Heritage Village is located at 231 PTH 12 N in Steinbach.

Evening festivities begin at 5 p.m. with face painting and bouncy houses opening at the Steinbach Soccer Park. They are followed with DJ music at 8 p.m., cupcakes at 9 p.m. and firworks at 10:45 p.m.

South Junction Community Club

The South Junction Community Club in Sprague will host Canada Day celebrations at J.L. Sturk Memorial Park starting at 8:30 p.m. There will be local entertainment and vendors from the Southeast Farmer’s Market. There will be free coffee and juice and Canada Day cookies. Hot dogs will also be sold. A 50/50 draw will be held at 10:15 p.m. with fireworks to follow at 10:30 p.m.

Town of Morris

The Town of Morris will host Canada Day events beginning with free swimming at the Morris Pool from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. At 5 p.m. the Lollipop Fairy, who paints children’s faces for free, will perform her magic show at the VAS Stampede Grounds. The grounds will also host a beer garden, bouncy castles, snow cones, cotton candy and more treats. A free hot dog barbecue will be held at 5:30 p.m. and at 7 p.m. the Whoopsie Dacey Band will play a mix of rock and roll. At dusk the celebrations will be capped off by fireworks from Archangel Fireworks Inc.