This year’s Canada Day went off with a bang. Literally. Fernie’s Canada Day fireworks lit up the night sky, with locals oohing and aahing at the spectacle for what seemed like nearly half an hour. Moving to Fernie from a big city, I have to say I am quite impressed by the amount of effort that is put into hosting a major annual celebration.
I spent the day covering Canada Day activities, while our reporter Sarah headed off to Elkford and Sparwood to celebrate our country and take some great photos.
In Fernie, the wide array of activities appeared to keep locals entertained throughout the entire day and into the evening.
Starting with the Cardboard Boat Race at 11 a.m. at Maiden Lake, followed by the annual Pet & Bike Parade, three dances performed by the Creative Energy Arts Factory, cake and refreshments, the Fernie Aquatic Centre’s Free Swim, the Old School Boxing Club’s demonstration and finally topped off with fireworks, the activities for adults and children alike seemed endless.
Due to abnormally high temperatures this Canada Day, the field and parking lot adjacent to the Fernie Aquatic Centre seemed to remain consistently filled with patrons. For those individuals needing to cool off, the splash park, the Fernie Aquatic Centre pool, the Avalanche City Roller Girls (ACRG) dunk tank and the beer tent, also run by ACRG, gave them an ample opportunity to get wet, cool down and continue to enjoy the day’s festivities.
In addition, the various mobile street vendors provided copious amounts of food. Vendors set up during the Canada Day celebration included Yama 2 Go Sushi, the Chopstick Truck, Cook’s Cabin and Happy Cow. Along with the various types of food offered through the mobile food vendors, visitors also enjoyed food stands, including the Fernie Hotel stand.
The Fernie Mountain Market kicked off their season in Fernie last Wednesday as well, selling clothing, craft items and yes, more food.
Live music was another key feature in this year’s Canada Day celebration, with both local and touring bands making their way to Fernie to perform short sets in the afternoon and longer sets in the evening. Despite the heat keeping many locals off the hot cement parking lot, the music travelled to the shaded tent beside the stage, keeping patrons entertained.
Kudos goes to all the organizers and participants of the Canada Day celebration here in Fernie. It truly did blow me away, keeping me full and captivated throughout the entire day.