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Wednesday, July 3, 2024
Canada’s 157th birthday celebrated in Amherstburg Canada Day festivities held throughout the day
Canada Day Run/Walk features 967 entrants
By Ron Giofu
By Ron Giofu
Fireworks, activities, citizenship ceremonies and more helped Amherstburg residents and visitors celebrate Canada’s 157th birthday. A full day of Canada Day celebrations took place Monday, starting with the Canada Day Run/Walk in the morning. It was followed by a chance for children to see fire trucks, police cars, military vehicles and public works vehicles. There was dancing from the Rivertown Dance Academy, a show from the Border City Barkers, food and drink vendors, concerts from the Adam Butcher Band and Buck Twenty, Fort Malden programming and more. Entertainment was spread between Fort Malden National Historic Site, Toddy Jones Park and King’s Navy Yard Park. At the opening ceremonies in King’s Navy Yard Park, Mayor Michael Prue noted the Department of Canadian Heritage and James H. Sutton Funeral Home put funding towards the town’s festivities. Prue said Canada Day is an opportunity to reflect and remember what it means to be a Canadian. Prue, flanked by the majority of town council members, noted the country’s Indigenous roots and that people who came to Canada from other countries were greeted by the people already here. He said people have been coming here for centuries in search of a better life. He added the Navy Yard Park extension on the former Duffy’s Tavern and Motor Inn site will be dedicated to Indigenous Peoples, such as the Three Fires Confederacy. Canada shows its strength and resilience through its diversity and culture, Prue added, with people being equal regardless of their race, religion or who they love. Prue referenced the citizenship ceremony that was also held in Navy Yard Park earlier in the day Monday. He said 25 citizens from around the world - including people from Iraq, Haiti and the Philippines among other countries – came to Canada in search of a better life.
A huge crowd of runners and walkers hit the streets of Amherstburg on Canada Day. The Canada Day Walk/Run attracted almost 1,000 runners and walkers, when the kids dash and the 5K run/walk were combined. Organizer Molly Allaire, who worked with her husband Dan and Walkers and Runners Around Essex County (WRACE) to present the event, said there were 967 participants overall. A total of 200 were in the kids dash with the rest being in the main run and walk. “Holy cow!” said Allaire, near the end of Monday morning’s event. “So many smiles and everyone has been so kind and patient. What an amazing day!” Allaire said all bills have been paid and proceeds have been counted. The proceeds total approximately $22,000 and they will be split between three local charities. Amherstburg Community Services (ACS), the Amherstburg Food and Fellowship Mission and the Bryerswood Youth Camp Optimist Club will be the recipients. The main sponsor was Movati with “moose” sponsors including Joe Meloche Ford, Nor-Built Construction, Rob & Tina’s No Frills and Rivertown Dental. Sponsors at the “beaver” level were Walker Aggregates, and Hamilton Insurance, and “goose” sponsors were Flow Café and Bikes, Parrothead Poppers, Wolfhead Distillery, and the Fort Family Fun Centre. “None of this would have worked or happened if I didn’t have the community support, volunteers stepping up, and businesses helping make it happen,” said Allaire. “It’s a lot of work but seeing so many people in our streets and the smiles everywhere makes us feel so whole. I just want to say thank you because it really is everyone coming together that makes this race perfect.”
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Fireworks over the Detroit River Monday night.
The Canada Day Run/Walk was popular with kids and adults.
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