SOUTHEAST SASKATCHEWAN - People in the Estevan area will have plenty of options to choose from when it comes to celebrating Canada Day on July 1.
Bienfait will once again be a hub for activity, with plenty happening throughout the day. It will start with a pancake breakfast at the Bienfait Memorial Arena at 7 a.m., with the Southern Plains Co-op supplying the food.
One of the annual fixtures, the Canada Day parade, starts at 10 a.m. at the Bienfait Memorial Arena. The parade will move east on Carbon Avenue, north on Railway Avenue, and south on Weldon Road before heading back to the school.
Children's activities will begin after the parade, with a cakewalk at Hammett Bay, bouncy castles and a rock-climbing wall.
The Bienfait Coalfields Museum will be open at 10 a.m., the Garden Party will supply live music on the front lawn of the Bienfait branch of the Royal Canadian Legion at 11 a.m., and the Bienfait Lions Bingo will start at noon at the legion.
A toonie swim begins at noon at the Bienfait Swimming Pool. The Firemen versus Farmers softball game starts at 3 p.m. at the ball diamonds.
Another annual highlight of Canada Day, the fireworks display, will begin at dusk.
Other highlights for Bienfait will include a house-decorating contest and an online 50/50.
Bienfait will get a head start on Canada Day festivities this year with the Coal Creek Festival on June 30. Doors open at 2 p.m. with kids' activities, beer gardens and food trucks. Music starts at 2:30 p.m.
According to a schedule on the festival's website, the line-up will be Aaron Karpinka at 2:30 p.m., Kara Golemba at 3:30, Last Birds at 4:30, Library Voices at 5:30, Mariel Buckley at 6:30, Brayden King at 7:30, Munro and Patrick at 8:30 and the Johner Brothers with the Johner Boys wrapping up the music at 9:30.
Last Birds, comprised of husband-and-wife duo Mike Davis and Lindsay Arnold, just won the top alternative country album award for Endless Turn of Day into Night at the Saskatchewan Country Music Association Awards.
A couple of events are planned for Canada Day in Estevan. The Estevan Kinsmen and Kinettes Clubs will mark Canada's 157th birthday with a bash at noon at the Kin Hillside playpark. The public can look forward to hot dogs, cotton candy, snow cones, popcorn, refreshments, swimming and games. Many people often have a picnic.
Woodlawn Regional Park will have a site-decorating contest and a parade, starting at 2 p.m. at the Souris River campground and at 3 p.m. at the Boundary Dam campground.
Mainprize Regional Park has four days of activities planned, beginning with a slow-pitch tournament that runs June 28 and 29. The 29th will also offer a 50/50 draw outfield beer garden at 10 a.m., and a Lone Rambler cabaret at 7 p.m.
On June 30, a pancake breakfast, provided by the Dr. Mainprize Park Foundation, will run from 9-11 a.m., with admission by donation.
Canada Day will offer bouncy castles on the beach starting at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. The Midale Public Library will be on location at 10 a.m. and the Plus One Market will also begin at 10 a.m.
A golf cart parade, with a route to be provided, will start at 2 p.m., and a free barbecue by the Mainprize Regional Park will be at the beach at 4 p.m.
Fireworks will occur at dusk.
At the Oungre Memorial Regional Park, activities will start with a pancake breakfast at 8:30 a.m. There will be a show and shine and antique tractors.
Lunch and desserts are slated to be served at the Centennial Building starting at 11 a.m., a parade is set for 1 p.m., and a bouncy castle, water slide and carnival games will be at 2 p.m.,
Regular rates and hours will be offered for the kitchen concession (8 a.m.-10 p.m.), indoor pool (1-5 p.m. and 6-9 p.m.), mini golf, camping and the nine-hole golf course.
Complimentary ice cream sundaes will be served at 2 p.m. in the communiplex. A country gospel jamboree will start at 10 a.m. featuring the Daae Family from Bromhead. Chester the Performer will walk around with a magic show at 6:30 p.m., and Mind over Magic will be in the rink at 7:30 p.m.
Fireworks will start at 10 p.m.
