Although COVID-19 restrictions will prevent hosting the traditional fireworks show again this year, the Rotary Club of Bracebridge wants to make sure they are bringing some well needed cheer to our community. They will therefore be holding a safe, distanced celebration for the community. This year’s celebrations will get families involved and give them a chance to win some great prizes, while also supporting restaurants in our community.
The Canada Day activities that are planned are:
1. Canada Day Home Decorating Contest and Self Tour:
The Rotary Club asks families to decorate their homes for Canada Day and register on their website to enter to win. If you enter to win, your home address will be displayed on an electronic map that will be displayed on the website. This will provide a guide for other families to walk, bike or drive to see all the displays!
The first prize winner will get two $100 gift cards and 7 runner-up winners will each receive a $100 gift card to Bracebridge restaurants of their choice.
The second way to win is by touring by foot, bike or by car to see the entry submissions. For a chance to win a $50 restaurant gift certificate, all you have to do is take a photo of your favourite entry, post it on Facebook and tag The Rotary Club of Bracebridge.
The contest runs from June 25th – July 5th . We ask that all entries keep the decorations up for that time so they can be admired and help our Town be festive!
To enter please register on the website at: bracebridgecanadaday.com
2. Canada Day Business Decorating Contest:
The Rotary Club hopes businesses will get festive with us and help our Town celebrate Canada Day! They encourage all businesses to help bring our community together and decorate their store fronts!
The top 3 winning business will win a coffee and donut party for their staff. To enter please register on the website at: bracebridgecanadaday.com
3. Celebration of Canada Day at the Rotary Centennial Gardens – Self Tour:
Safely visit the Rotary Centennial Gardens to celebrate Canada Day. From June 27- July 11, you will see the sights, hear the sounds, and feel the spirit of this great country all around you. The Gardens located at the corner of Pine Street and Taylor Road in Bracebridge will be celebrating by showing its Canadian colours and invites you to show your colours too! All you need is something red and white and a little imagination. Dress in your most creative Canada Day themed costume and take a selfie of you or your whole family posing in front of one of the many features in the gardens, post it to Facebook and tag their page, The Rotary Club of Bracebridge, for your chance to win. Three $50 restaurant gift certificates will be awarded based on creativity and Canadian Spirit.
Dressing up, not your thing? Why not add to the safe celebrations by donating a Canada Day themed painted rock? Your painted rock can be left in the marked bin on the patio beside the garden sheds on or before June 25 and a Rotarian will find a special place in the garden to display your creation. Rocks will be displayed in the Gardens until mid July. Come and visit the Gardens from June 27-July 11 or for the added events on Canada Day and see if you can find your rock in its special location.
4. Rotary Canada Day Rotary Celebration Tour through your neighbourhood:
On the evening of July 1st , the Rotary Club of Bracebridge will parade through the streets of Bracebridge playing music, handing out give-a-ways for the kids and spreading Canadian cheer!
In order to cover as much ground as possible, they will be having two separate floats following separate routes; please follow their website to see the routes. The Rotary Club hopes to encourage distanced neighbourhood celebrations by joining each other on your own lawns. As they pass your home, they hope you will celebrate with us! The routes will start at 8:30 pm and although they cannot give specific times when they will be at your doorstep, you will hear them coming!
According to John Mullen, President-Elect, “We have adjusted our plans to bring the people of Bracebridge together to celebrate Canada Day in a COVID-safe and fun manner. We hope the community will join our Club in celebrating our Nation’s Birthday and look forward to a future time when we can safely host our traditional fireworks show again.”
To participate in the contests or to learn more about the celebrations, please visit the Canada Day website at bracebridgecanadaday.com and follow them on Facebook at Rotary Club of Bracebridge.
