There's a lot to celebrate at this year's Canada Day festivities in Castlegar.
The celebration will take place at Millennium Park & Ponds, which will be celebrating its tenth anniversary. It's also where the City of Castlegar recently opened Canada's tallest castle play structure.
Families can check out the new playground, swim in the ponds — which are now open for the season — and partake in the free hot dogs and hamburgers that the city will be giving out on a first-come, first-served basis. Safeway has also provided Canada Day cakes for the occasion.
There will be some brief opening remarks from the mayor and Cathy Bogle will sing "O Canada."
Following the afternoon's activities, there will be an evening showing of Inside Out in the park. The movie will start after dark, which will likely be sometime around 9 p.m.
Those who attend the movie are encouraged to bring chairs, blankets, and bug repellent. Those who attend the afternoon activities should also consider bringing water and sunscreen, as it could be quite hot.
The Millennium Park Concession Stand will be open throughout the day, including during the movie. Kim Clark, of Kim's Creations, says there will be $5 corn dogs for the celebration, as well as the usual menu. Coffee and hot chocolate will be on sale for the movie, and the concession will also have glow sticks for purchase.
Bree Seabrook, director of corporate services for the City of Castlegar, encourages anyone coming out to use the free shuttle bus that will be available throughout the day, as parking at Millennium Park will likely fill up quickly.
The shuttle bus, hosted by Mountain Transport Institute, will pick up and drop off at the Castlegar & District Recreation Centre (CDRC) and the Station Museum, with service every 30 minutes.
The first daytime pick-up will be at 11:30 a.m. at the CDRC. The bus will then continue onto the Station Museum and Millennium Park. The last daytime departure will leave Millennium Park at 4:30 p.m.
The first evening pick-up will be at 8:30 p.m. at the CDRC and then the shuttle will continue to the Station Museum and Millennium Park. The last evening departure will leave Millennium Park around 10:30 p.m., after the movie in the park finishes.