MELFORT — The Canada Day Melfort committee is adapting to the COVID-19 pandemic with a fireworks display that the region can enjoy together.
“It’s going to be a very good fireworks display,” said Gailmarie Anderson, Canada Day Melfort committee’s chairperson. “We actually haven’t had one for Canada Day for a number of years because of the expense.”
Typically, the City of Melfort would hold a celebration that would include an official opening at the cenotaph with the Legion, musical entertainment and a barbeque.
This year, none of that could happen due to COVID-19.
Instead, the Canada Day Melfort committee has teamed up with Prairie North Coop, along with the City of Melfort, Canadian Tire and additional funding from Sask. Lottery Grant Program and Heritage Canada for a fireworks celebration.
“COVID 19 has resulted in the cancelation of many important annual events,” Anderson said. “Everyone has had to make sacrifices but the committee thought it was important to find a way to safely celebrate Canada Day together.”
The event will take place at the Stone Gate Shopping Centre on Saskatchewan Drive South, south of McDonalds, at dusk on July 1.
Attendants will be parking cars starting at 9:30 p.m., with dusk expecting to take place around 10:30 p.m.
The celebration will be subject to Public Health Guidelines applicable to drive in events which require cars to be parked five metres apart.
Everyone will be encouraged to remain in their vehicles, but if they do exit their vehicles, they are required to maintain a physical distance from other households.
“It’s always important, I think, to celebrate Canada Day as a public event for everybody because we always want to express our patriotism and for living in such a country. We’re very lucky and fortunate to live in Canada, and I think we always want to celebrate that.”
