Canada Day 2020 – Celebrating During COVID-19
It’s no surprise that after the year we’ve had so far (can you believe it’s only June?!) that Canada Day 2020 is going to look a little different this year. We’re physically distancing, we’re wearing masks, but we’re still going to celebrate. After all, it is the Canadian national anthem’s 40th birthday, and our flag’s 55th birthday! COVID-19 can’t stop us from celebrating safely!
Brockville Tourism is working together with the City of Brockville and other local organizations to make sure this Canada Day is fun and safe for everyone.
Week Before Canada Day: Let’s Decorate!
Brockville Tourism is decorating outside our visitor centre leading up to the big day, and we’re asking everyone to join in!
Throughout our physical distancing, painted rocks have been popping up along the Brock Trail with inspirational messages of hope. The young and young at heart are invited to paint a red and white rock with their own inspirational messages on them and leave them in our boat facing Water Street! We will be painting the boat red for the occasion, and want to have a full rock garden of messages from locals, so feel free to join us today!
June 29th – July 1st: Canada, Let’s Get Together!
The national celebration of Canada Day starts early online! Visit the Canadian Heritage website starting June 29th to take part in online activities including cooking challenges, sports challenges, innovation challenges and discovering the hidden treasures of digital Canada! Take part on social media and rise to the challenge!
All Day: Show Us How You’re Celebrating Canada Day 2020 Photo Contest
Brockville, we know that this year is going to be a little different from how we celebrate Canada Day. Maybe you’ll dress in your favourite red and white, or maybe you’ll bake a Canada Day dessert. Perhaps Canada Day is always celebrated with a big barbecue, or a jump in the St. Lawrence River. However you celebrate Canada Day, Brockville Tourism wants to see how you’re celebrating! Take photos or videos of how you are celebrating throughout the day, and there will be two ways to enter:
- Use the hashtag #ClearlyBrockville AND #CanadaDay on either Instagram or Twitter to be entered before 11:59 pm on July 2nd.
- Email your photos to contest@brockvilletourism.com before 11:59 pm on July 2nd.
The winner will be chosen at random and will win a family dinner prize pack from Cowan’s Dairy!!
All Day: National Celebration Celebration Kit
The Canadian Heritage website has set up a full day of activities packs for the entire family. Learn more about the maple leaf through the Arts And Culture activity pack, discover the Peace Tower through the History, Symbols and Traditions activity pack, explore the outdoors and enjoy physical activity with the Beaver activity pack, and cook up a culinary storm with the O Canada activity pack.
9 am – 12 pm: MS Teddy Bear Picnic Goes Virtual
This is an event the whole family can enjoy! Families are encouraged to host their own teddy bear picnics at home and share their photos with ont-leeds@mssociety.ca. You can learn more about this festival on the MS Society’s Teddybear Festival Facebook Page.
9:30 am: InstaChoir Canada Performs
InstaChoir Canada will be broadcasting a performance at around 9:30 am on Canada Day. There will be a few local voices, and this can be watched through Facebook, Youtube or the InstaChoir website.
10 am: Brockville Road Runners 5K Run/Walk From Home – Together Individually
This Canada Day tradition will continue no matter what! Join the Brockville Road Runners in their annual fundraising event for the Brockville and Area Food Bank.
To take part, register online through Trackie and make a donation. Donations of $20 or more will receive a tax receipt from the Food Bank at the end of the year. Then on Wednesday, July 1st, wear your best Canada Day colours, step out your front door, turn left and GO. Keeping with tradition, 5km is the distance, however, if a 1km walk or run is more suited for your age or ability, feel free to join in that way! What is important is that you’re participating and having fun. Together Individually is the title this year, so make sure you’re following all the COVID-19 guidelines while taking part. You can also feel like you’re running together by joining the Brockville Road Runners Club Facebook Group!
11 am: O’Canada – The Brockville Remix
Join us on Facebook at 11am for a special treat – sing O Canada with local dignitaries, Brockville City Council and community members!
1 pm – 2 pm: Canada Day Across the Country
For the afternoon, we’ll be taking part in the national ceremonies happening online and on CBC! There will be a daytime show, Canada Day Across the Country hosted by Serena Ryder and Pierre-Yves Lord. Watch Sudbury, Montréal, Québec, Moncton, Winnipeg, Yellowknife and Calgary.
8pm – 10pm: Canada Day Together
We will continue to take part in the national ceremonies by tuning in to the evening show, Canada Day Together on CBC or online. Serena Ryder and Pierre-Yves Lord will be hosting once again, and there will be a collection of great performers from coast to coast to coast! You can see the full lineup on the Canadian Heritage website.