Canada Day events in Calgary

The nation turns 144 years young on Friday, and there is no shortage of true, north, strong and free options to celebrate Canada’s birthday in and around Calgary.

Mayor Naheed Nenshi will officially kick off the city’s celebrations at noon on the Enmax main stage at Prince’s Island Park, where a variety of Canadian musicians and entertainers will perform on three different stages until 6 p.m.

"It’s all free, which in this economy is always a great thing," said Stephanie Barnett, event co-ordinator for the City of Calgary.

The performers are from all across Canada and include new Canadians Rubim de Toledo from Brazil and Raulito Tabera from Cuba.

"It is expressing the idea that Canada welcomes all," Barnett said.

The party continues at Olympic Plaza with fireworks at 10: 45 p.m., with Jim Byrnes and the Sojourners ending the night.

Macleod Trail will be closed between 7th and 9th avenues at 9 a.m. as a fireworks safety zone and reopened at 3 a.m. Saturday.

Sports fans may want to head to Canada Olympic Park for the official opening of Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame. The 40,000-square-foot stateof-the-art facility will open at 1 p.m. on the west side of COP during the park’s annual celebrations. The summer bobsled ride also makes its debut.

Fort Calgary will welcome new Canadians at 9 a.m. with a Canadian citizenship ceremony and continue the celebrations throughout the day with a free pancake breakfast and family entertainment until 4 p.m. Outdoor admission is free and indoor admission is 50 per cent off.

For the history buffs, Heritage Park is celebrating Canada Day the oldfashioned way, calling it by its former name, Dominion Day. Regular general admission is required.

For the outdoorsy types, Parks Canada is offering free entry to all national parks, which are celebrating the agency’s 100th birthday.

The Bar U Ranch is one option for young adventurers as it launches its Xplorers program.

Those who are heading to Canmore for the annual Canada Day Parade, be forewarned that the parade route has changed for the first time in 30 years. Visit Canmore.ca/celebrations to view a map of the new route.

Courtesy The Calgary Herald