Canada Day change-up in Kentville

BY JENNIFER HOEGG

jhoegg@kentvilleadvertiser.ca

NovaNewsNow.com “We’ll have something for everyone,” says Lindsay Young, administrative assistant and special event planner for Kentville Parks and Recreation when discussing this year’s Canada Day celebrations.

Canada traditions are changing in the town, with a move from Memorial Park to Centre Square, Young said. “We’re changing it up as part of a movement to use Centre Square for community-focused activities.”

You can still head to Memorial Park for the annual free public swim and tennis, Young added.

Earlier in the month, Parks and Recreation director Mark Phillips told town council the “fresh look” of this year’s program aims to rejuvenate an event that “has been stagnant over the past few years.”

Packed schedule

An expanded line-up of holiday events kick off with a movie night in the square, one of three planned for the summer. The outdoor showing of Madagascar 2: Escape to Africa begins at dusk June 30.

On July 1, festivities begin at 10 a.m. in Centre Square with live music, a bounce castle, a water attraction, clowns, balloon art, face-painting and more. Queen Annapolisa Lindsay Pearl and Mayor Dave Corkum will preside over official ceremonies at noon.

Kentville Police will offer a bike rodeo, with safety information and fun two-wheeled activities for kids, from 10:15 to noon. Car aficionados will want to stroll down Aberdeen Street for an antique car “show and shine,” coordinated with Down East Classic Car Club.

In the afternoon, families can enter Kentville’s own version of The Amazing Race, participating in a scavenger hunt around downtown to earn great prizes.

Healthy snacks and local food

Hot dogs are gone from this year’s schedule. In an effort to encourage wise lifestyle choices, free Canada Day hot dogs will be replaced by a healthy snack package, Young said. But there will still be birthday cake at noon and the ever-popular candy scramble at 1:30.

Because the holiday falls on a Wednesday, municipal events will share the square with the Kentville Farmers’ Market, offering delicious local food and a special children’s art activity.

The market will be bigger and better on Canada Day, coordinator Michelle Fike said. “We’re going to expand the market from our regular 25 vendors to 35. “There will be a wide range of vendors, including fair trade coffee, desserts and lunch food, two barbecues, arts and crafts, strawberries, locally produced meats, vegetables and fruit.”

Friends of the Kentville Public Library Society will also provide an art activity for kids.

More information can be found at http://town.kentville.ns.ca/