SOUTHEAST SASKATCHEWAN — Southeast Saskatchewan residents will have lots of activities to choose from to celebrate Canada Day.
The community of Bienfait will once again be a hub for activity July 1 to mark Canada's 158th birthday. It starts at 7 a.m. with a pancake breakfast at the Bienfait Memorial Arena. Then the parade starts at 10 a.m., with the route beginning at Bienfait Weldon School. The parade will then proceed east on Carbon Avenue and make its way through the community until it reaches the school again.
The Bienfait Coalfields Museum will be open at 10 a.m. A cakewalk will happen after the parade on Hammett Bay. The Bienfait Lions Club will host Bingo at the Bienfait branch of the Royal Canadian Legion, and the legion will sell hamburgers and hot dogs on the front lawn. The Garden Party will play live music on the legion lawn at 11 a.m. A toonie swim starts at noon at the town's swimming pool.
Canuckcade will be on site with a Stars Wars bounce house, an octagon ring, human foosball/soccer, hamster/Zorb balls, axe throwing, a bounce house/slide and gelly ball shooting tag.
The firefighters and farmers will meet in their annual ball game at the ball diamonds at 3 p.m. Conner Piche will perform at 4 p.m. and a talent show will start at 5 p.m. at the Bienfait Memorial Arena. Tammi Russett will provide face painting, while the Bienfait Public Library will have a photo booth and sparkle tattoos.
Fireworks will begin at dusk.
There will also be a house-decorating contest and an online 50-50.
In Estevan, the Estevan Kinette Club will host its free activities at 11 a.m. at the Kin Hillside Playpark. Highlights will include hot dogs, cake and other treats. Kids can jump in a bouncy castle or take a dip in the paddling pool, and dogs can go for a stroll in the dog park. DJ Dave Elliott will supply music.
The Hidden Valley Golf and RV resort west of Estevan will host a parade June 30, starting at 7 p.m. at the saloon in the campground. People are encouraged to decorate to celebrate Canada.
Mainprize Regional Park near Midale has a host of activities for July 1. A free pancake breakfast will be at 8 a.m. at Pedersen Place. Starting at 10 a.m., there will be bouncy castles, life-sized horseshoes, games and a sand castle contest at the beach. An artisan market will begin at 10 a.m. at Pedersen Place.
A cart parade through the park happens at 2 p.m.; participants are asked to meet at the maintenance building 30 minutes earlier. Free hotdogs and marshmallows will be roasted at the Mainprize beach at 4 p.m. Fireworks will be at dusk.
The park also held a mixed skins golf tournament on June 27; and a cornhole tournament and a cabaret featuring Chris Henderson at Pederson Place on June 28.
The Oungre Memorial Regional Park will have events as well. A pancake breakfast will be at 8:30 a.m. Antique tractors, a car show and shine and children's pirate treasure activities are at 10 a.m. The parade is at 11 a..m.
Taco in a bag and pulled pork will be served at 11:30 a.m. A bouncy house and a music jamboree are at 1 p.m. A longest drive competition and free ice cream sundaes are at 2 p.m. A women's fastball game is at 3 p.m.
Canadian trivia will begin at 7 p.m. and fireworks will be at dusk.
Oxbow is also going to be a busy community, with activities beginning at 10 a.m. on June 30. Let's learn Metwawetan will be at the friendship centre for five to 10-year-olds, with interactive and fun learning activities. A Philippine folk dance workshop will happen at Bow Valley Park south of town at 4:30 and 5:30 p.m. Fireworks will happen at dusk.
Activities for Canada Day include a pancake breakfast at the Oxbow legion at 9 a.m. and a parade beginning at the Memorial Hall at 11 a.m. The focus then shifts to the Bow Valley Park with a children's magician show, bouncy castles, face painting, children's activities, and canoeing and kayaking at 1 p.m., a cornhole tournament and beer gardens at 1:30 p.m., children's magician, birthday cake at 2 p.m., and a duck derby at 3 p.m. Food vendors and trucks will be on site at noon.
Stoughton will have festivities at Taylor Memorial Park at 4:30 p.m., with a barbecue, celebratory cake and entertainment from the Caragana Ramblers.
Arcola had a head start on Canada Day with cupcakes, ice cream, face painting and fireworks.
