It’s been three years since Orléans residents have been able to celebrate Canada Day on Petrie Island. For the past two years, the celebrations have been restricted to individual neighbourhoods and makeshift fireworks displays.
You have to go back to July 1, 2019, when Kiwanis East Ottawa Est last held the Canada Day festivities on the island. The service club began hosting it’s O’ Canada celebration in 2017, one year after organizers of the Greater Orléans Canada Celebration called it a day after holding events on the island for 12 straight years.
A number of the popular activities will be back this year including the Kid Zone, the Beachside BBQ and Beer Tent, a full slate of live entertainment starting at 2 p.m. with the local band Heart and Mines featuring Orléans city councillor Matt Luloff on electric guitar and vocals, and, of course, the largest fireworks display in the east end.
Best of all – the non-stop activities are completely free. There will also be a free shuttle service from the Trim Road parn-and-ride.
One of the unique attractions this year is a cultural area featuring demonstrations and storytelling by members of the Métis community.
The opening ceremonies, including a massive birthday cake, will be held at 1 p.m.
Besides Heart and Mines, the main stage entertainment will also include Bollywood musician and dancer Kuljit Sodhi; Afro Beat and hip-hop artist Wise Ayangana; and performances by musicians from both the Orléans School of Rock and the Markham School of Rock. The proceedings will wrap up with the band Garden Variety.
There will be a free shuttle service from Collège La Cité on Jeanne d’Arc Blvd. to the Petrie Island site. The shuttle service will begin at 11 a.m. The last shuttle will leave the island at 7 p.m. Here is a full schedule of the day's activities.
11 a.m. Kids Zone opens; Shuttle service begins; Food Concessions and Beer Tent open
12:30 a.m Metis Storytelling, Cultural Displays and Demonstrations
1 p.m. Official Opening Ceremonies and Canada Day Cake
2 p.m. Hearts & Mines featuring Orléans Coun. Matt Luloff
4 p.m. Kuljit Sodhi – Bollywood Musician and Dancer
5 p.m. Wise Ayangana – Afro Beat & HipHop
6 p.m. School of Rock Orléans
7 p.m. School of Rock Markham
8:15 p.m. Garden Variety (Headliner)
9:55 p.m. National Anthem
10 p.m. Spectacular fireworks
10:20 p.m. Music continues
11:00 p.m. Event ends
*Activities subject to change wihtout notice
TAPROOM 260 presents Crooked Creek live from 8-11 p.m. at 260 Centrum Blvd. For more information visit 
MATT LULOFF W/ EDISON RUPERT performing at the Stray Dog Brewing Company, 501 Lacolle Way in the Taylor Creek Business Park. To register your team visit 
OTTAWA CARLETON MALE CHOIR in concert at the Navan-Vars United Church 1129 Smith Rd. in Navan at 2:30 p.m. Tickets $20 at the door.
THE ORLÉANS BREWING CO. presents Oyster Wednesdays every Wednesday. The Orléans Brewing Co. is located at 4380 Innes Rd. near McDonalds.
BLACKBURN HAMLET COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The entire community is invited…rain or shine! Please keep visiting blackburn.ca for more up-to-date information as it becomes available.
