A guide to Canada Day 2021 events in the Edmonton area

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With provincial restrictions for COVID-19 easing on July 1, Canadians have more than one reason to celebrate this Canada Day.

Here is a guide to events in the City of Edmonton and surrounding areas.

City of Edmonton

In Edmonton, fireworks are planned to be set off over the River Valley at 11 p.m. on Canada Day. A livestream will also be available for anyone who wishes to watch from home.

Despite the heatwave, the fire risk forecast is not expected to require the cancellation of fireworks permits in the city, according to Edmonton Fire Rescue Services.

Between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Chinatown is hosting a Canada Day celebration including martial arts, lion dance, traditional Chinese songs, arts and crafts, vendor exhibitions, and heritage Chinatown Tours.

While they won’t have any specific Canada Day activities, the Edmonton Valley Zoo will be open between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. and the Muttart Conservatory will be from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on July 1. No Canada Day events will be at City Hall, Sir Winston Churchill Square or the Alberta Legislature this year and the Mill Woods Canada Day event and fireworks have been postponed for 2021.

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The city is also reminding anyone who plans to take transit that, as part of the province’s Stage 3 reopening, masks are mandatory when on buses, LRTs, in taxis and ride shares. Edmontonians should also be aware of potential travel delays on July 1, especially if crossing the river.

St. Albert

The City of St. Albert is hosting a number of Canada Day activities between noon and 4 p.m. The events include family-friendly entertainment in the trails and park spaces around downtown St. Albert and Fizzlewit’s Fairy Finding Tour where families can search for hidden magical creatures also in downtown. As well, the St. Albert Public Library is hosting Trail Tales, where Canadian authors will be placed along the Sturgeon River beside St. Albert Place.

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The city is looking into alternative dates and locations to host a firework display.

Visit stalbert.ca/canada-day for more information.

Strathcona County

Strathcona County is hosting week-long festivities, ending on July 4. On Canada Day, it will be hosting a pancake breakfast in a drive-thru format in the Festival Place parking lot. Attendees are asked to pre-register their vehicle for a time slot.

Between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m., there will be a food truck rally at the Kinsmen Leisure Centre parking lot.

Fireworks will take place at 11 p.m. over Broadmoor Lake Park. Viewing locations include the Kinsmen Leisure Centre parking lot, Peace Park west of Festival Place and the pathway from the edible garden by the intersection of Oak Street south and Sherwood Drive up to the picnic shelter.

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More info is available at strathcona.ca/canadaday.

Leduc

Residents of Leduc are able to take part in a number of Canada Day events. Activities include a travelling concert series with local folk-rock duo River Poets.

Between 8:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. the Leduc Legion will be hosting a pancake breakfast at the Leduc Branch 108, located at 5104 49 Street. At 11:45 a.m. there will be a Canada Day flag-raising.

From noon to 6 p.m., Block50 will be hosting an event featuring Lil’ Ryley Farms, Canadian Veterans, live music, food trucks, and more.

Fireworks are planned for 11 p.m. and can be enjoyed from anywhere within three kilometres of the garden plots at Telford Lake. The city is also offering free, take home hot dog and s’more kits to enjoy wth the fireworks from the comfort of your own backyard. Kits can be picked up at the Gateway Church located at 4310 Black Gold Drive between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. on July 1.

At 2:15 p.m. on July 1, Leduc will also hold a moment of silence to pay respect to the 215 Indigenous children identified in Kamloops, as well as those since and yet to be uncovered.

More information is available at Leduc.ca/Canada.

— With files from Dustin Cook

ajunker@postmedia.com