If you are looking for something to do this Canada Day in Windsor, there are a lot of events.
Canada Day Parade in Windsor July 1, 2015. (Photo by Adelle Loiselle)
The Canada Day Parade returns to the city. It gets underway on Wyandotte Street East and Devonshire Road at 11 a.m. and ends at Aylmer Avenue.
The City of Windsor also celebrates Hiram Walker's 206th birthday in Walkerville.
"He was head of a family with a name so deeply entrenched in Windsor that it touches on facets of architecture, history, industry, neighbourhoods, and pop culture," said a statement from the city. "A true early industrialist, Walker built his distillery, later named Hiram Walker & Sons Ltd, on the Windsor banks of the Detroit River. He created the world-famous Canadian Club Whisky and was a charitable man who donated money across the Windsor, Walkerville and Detroit areas."
A bronze sculpture of Walker will be unveiled at the corner of Devonshire Road and Riverside Drive East at 10 a.m. on July 2. It is located in a new parkette and serves as a neighbourhood gateway.
"The Hiram Walker Commemorative Statue was commissioned on the 200th anniversary of his birth and in honour of his incredible and lasting contributions to the Town of Walkerville and the City of Windsor," said Mayor Drew Dilkens.
The Walkerville Art Walk gets underway from 4 p.m. on July 1 until 10 p.m. and picks up again at 10 a.m. on July 2 until 7 p.m.
On Friday, Wyandotte Street East will be closed between Gladstone Avenue and Devonshire Road.
On Saturday, Wyandotte is closed between Gladstone and Argyle Road, while Devonshire closes between Riverside Drive East and Wyandotte.
This year's vendors include Border City Custom Prints, Walkerville Candles, What's Poppin' Popcorn Factory, and Sweet Moments Cookie Co.
Between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m., the Hiram Walker 206th Birthday Celebration Street Festival will feature live music and a children's activity village on Devonshire Road. The kids can pick up a custom Hiram Walker celebration top hat while taking part in face-painting and the Art Lab Slime Bar. Check out classic cars, including Model Ts from the Canadian Transportation Museum and Heritage Village, while local artists showcase their work.
Walkerville Heritage Walking Tours are available at 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m.
Walkerville Brewery in Windsor July 24, 2015. (Photo by Adelle Loiselle)
While walking around, come into The Walkerville Brewery for a taste of the new Hiram Heritage Barrel Finished Scotch Ale at their beer garden.
"This traditional-style scotch ale is small-batch brewed and bottled by hand," said co-owner Mike Brkovich. "It is finished in once-used whisky barrels. The final beer is unfiltered, smooth drinking with dark roast and biscuit flavours."
The new beer is available as of July 1.
If something a little harder is more to your taste, J.P. Wiser's Distillery will offer public tours of their facility. It is recommended tours are booked in advance online.
Beam Suntory - Canadian Club Whisky offers Canadian Club 1858 and the Canadian Club Classic 12-Year whiskies, along with Canadian Club Ready-to-Drink mixing the award-winning whisky brand with fresh ginger.
Starting at 11:30 a.m. on July 2, there will be a Friends of Willistead Memorial Gathering at St. Mary's Cemetary on Mary's Gate Street in Walkerville.
There will be a short memorial tribute at the graves of Edward Chandler Walker and his wife, Mary. The Walkers built Willistead Manor, named after Willis Walker.
Willistead Manor, August 3, 2017. (Photo by Maureen Revait)
Tours of Willistead Manor and the new Coach House Exhibition are available from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Willistead Manor will also host the Roaring 20s at the Manor Fundraising Dinner from 6:30 p.m. to midnight. Mayor Drew Dilkens and his wife, Jane, will host a one-of-a-kind event with art, music, fine dining, fellowship, and philanthropy. Guests are encouraged to dress in the fashion of the 1920s.
