Volunteers are needed for the upcoming Canada Day festivities in Sarnia on Wednesday, July 1.
Those interested in helping out as parade barricade attendants and activity attendants are encouraged to sign up online by Monday, June 22.
City of Sarnia Recreation Coordinator Rebecca Warren said they need about 50 volunteers.
With several daytime and evening events scheduled, Warren said they typically see a large turnout.
"Between Canatara Park, the parade, Centennial Park, and the fireworks, it's quite a large number given the size of our community," Warren said. "Of course, there are people who come in from neighbouring communities, but I think it's quite impressive that in a community of our size, this event attracts about 30,000 people."
The celebration will kick off with the Canada Day parade at 11:30 a.m.
Warren said about 45 parade participants have signed up for this year, which is on par with previous years.
"The theme is together we shine," she said. "[The parade is] usually about an hour in length."
The parade will start at the intersection of Colborne Road and Lakeshore Road, will go west on Lakeshore Road, and south on Christina Street, before entering Canatara Park at Cathcart Boulevard. The route will continue through the park on Lake Chipican Drive to Sandy Lane.
To accommodate the parade, Lakeshore Road from Indian Road to Cathcart Boulevard, Lake Chipican Drive from Lakeshore Road to Sandy Lane, and Sandy Lane will be closed from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
A vendor market, food booths, strolling buskers, and activities will be set up at Canatara Park from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Warren said there are a few new additions this year, including a selfie station, top shot hockey, and a Canada Day drumming ceremony.
"It's a national celebration that occurs across all six time zones in Canada on Canada Day. So at 2:30 p.m., participating communities across Canada will drum for six minutes, and that represents the six time zones," Warren said. "We're going to have the Joyful Noise Drummers leading that, but we also welcome the public to be a part of that as well."
Live music and ceremonies will be held at the Canatara Bandshell, beginning at 12:30 p.m. There will also be live entertainment at the Canatara Park Stage between 11 a.m. and 3:15 p.m.
Events will later be held at Centennial Park from 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Warren said Extreme Dog Shows will return, providing entertainment from 6:30 p.m. until 8 p.m.
This year's performers at the Agora Stage include: The Infinite, Rumble Fish, and Brothers Wilde.
The evening will conclude with fireworks over Sarnia Bay at 10 p.m.
Seaway Road will be closed to traffic from 3 p.m. until after the fireworks; however, businesses will remain open.
As per usual, free shuttle service will be provided to take residents from Northgate Terminal to Canatara Park and Centennial Park. Shuttles to Canatara Park will run from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., while service to Centennial Park will run from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Warren said a caravan service will also be introduced this year.
"In addition to Sarnia Transit's free shuttle, we're adding free caravan service that goes right into Canatara Park. Currently, the service is at the entrance to Canatara Park and that's not as accessible as some people require," Warren said. "The stop will still go from Northgate but it will stop at the north end of the open field in Canatara so it's closer to the main site."
For those planning to ride their bicycles, temporary bike lanes will be set up on Michigan Avenue from Blackwell Road to Indian Road from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Front Street will be closed to vehicular traffic between London Road and Exmouth Street from 9 a.m. until after the fireworks to accommodate the bike lanes.
A bike corral will be managed by the Bluewater Trails Committee at Canatara Park.
A detailed list of Canada Day events in Sarnia can be found on the city's website.
