‘We hope everyone comes out, has a safe and memorable day … and celebrates everything that makes Orillia such an incredible place to call home,’ says organizer
*Note the midway has been cancelled for Tuesday, June 30 due to extreme heat. It is expected to re-open for Canada Day festivities on Wednesday, July 1.
Thousands of people are expected to gather at Couchiching Beach Park on Wednesday as Orillia celebrates Canada Day, but behind the scenes, organizers say the event represents months of work by a new volunteer-led organization.
This year’s festivities mark the inaugural Canada Day celebration organized by Celebrate Orillia Inc., a newly formed registered not-for-profit corporation that took over responsibility for planning the city’s annual celebration.
“We truly started from scratch,” said chairperson Rob Kloostra. “There wasn’t even a manual waiting for us.”
Kloostra said volunteers spent hundreds of hours since January building every aspect of the event, from governance policies and volunteer job descriptions to health and safety plans, insurance coverage, sponsorships, vendor management, entertainment and logistics.
“We set ambitious financial goals at the beginning of the project, and I’m proud to say we’ve met those goals thanks to the incredible community sponsors, donors, volunteers and local businesses who believed in what we were building,” he said.
More than 75 volunteers have stepped forward to help with the celebration, and Kloostra says all volunteer positions have now been filled.
“None of this would be possible without our volunteers,” he said. “They are the reason this community celebration remains free for everyone.”
With hot and humid weather forecast for Canada Day, organizers are encouraging attendees to take precautions throughout the day.
“We encourage everyone attending to come prepared, bring water, sunscreen, hats, seek shade when needed, and look after one another,” Kloostra said, noting a first aid tent will also be available in the park.
He said organizers will monitor conditions throughout the day and make “game-time decisions” if necessary, including whether it is safe for children to use inflatable attractions should temperatures become extreme.
“Safety will always come first,” he said.
The celebration begins at 8 a.m. with the traditional pancake breakfast at the pavilion inside the Terry Fox Circle, followed by the children’s Wheelie Parade at 10:30 a.m.
The Canada Day parade gets underway at noon before opening ceremonies at 1 p.m. and the ceremonial cake cutting at 2 p.m. Entertainment, food vendors, a licensed beer garden, children’s activities, marketplace vendors and the midway will continue throughout the afternoon and evening before the fireworks display at dusk. A full schedule can be found here.
Kloostra says the return of the midway remains one of the biggest attractions of the day.
“I think the kids look forward to it immensely,” he said. “It’s been a tradition. If it wasn’t there, it would certainly make the day not as enjoyable. People love it.”
He encouraged residents to support the midway operators, noting there are only a handful of travelling midway companies still operating in Ontario.
“They’re an important part of the Canada Day tradition,” he said. “We ask everyone to be patient, be kind, and remember that thousands of people will be enjoying the park together. A little courtesy goes a long way.”
Organizers are also asking visitors to help keep Couchiching Beach Park clean by properly disposing of garbage and recycling.
While admission to the celebration is free, Kloostra said attendees can help support future community events by purchasing a Canada Day button, with proceeds going toward future Celebrate Orillia initiatives.
For Kloostra, the highlight of the day is seeing the community come together.
“Canada Day belongs to the community,” he said. “We’re simply the volunteers honoured to help bring it together. We hope everyone comes out, has a safe and memorable day, supports our local vendors and sponsors, thanks a volunteer, and celebrates everything that makes Orillia such an incredible place to call home.”
