ABOUT

Canada Day in Wilmot is a children-friendly family-focused not-for-profit single-day festival organized by a volunteer association of community members celebrating the shared values of this country and its diverse communities – friendship, integrity, hard work, compassion, respect, and inclusion.

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The day is designed to foster these core values through fun, educational and entertaining family-friendly activities while supporting local businesses, artists and our community partners.

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With community support, though public donations and corporate partners the committee endeavors to make this a self-sustaining annual event for many years to come.
 

Canada Day In Wilmot Reveals 2022 Event Logo, Announces Grand Marshal, and Initial Partners

The Canada Day in Wilmot volunteer organizers are honoured to reveal the 2022 event logo designed by Indigenous artist Adrian Nadjiwon and to announce that Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang will be the 2022 Canada Day in Wilmot Grand Marshal. Volunteers are equally excited to announce new attraction sponsor Pet Valu - New Hamburg, returning sponsor Dolman Eyecare Centre and media partner 99.5 BOUNCE Radio.

To move forward with the Indigenous community in a meaningful and respectful way organizers reached out to Indigenous visual artist Adrian Nadjiwon to create a Canada Day in Wilmot event logo that represented the commitment to working collaboratively for a brighter future for all.

The logo features a feather, a First Nations symbol of honour, trust, respect, and dignity, centered over a stylized maple leaf which emerged in the 19th century to become a well-loved symbol of character and Canadian identity. The maple tree was a prominent feature of the landscape in the eastern parts of Canada and was valued equally by Indigenous and settler communities for its sweet sap and the goods derived from it.

Adrian Nadjiwon is an artist from the Chippewas of Nawash Reserve on the Bruce Peninsula well known for its natural beauty. Drawing ever since he could remember, Nadjiwon was not just a student of the visual arts, but of his own Anishinaabe heritage.

Organizers are honoured to have Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang join us as the Grand Marshal of the 2022 Canada Day in Wilmot festivities. Dr. Wang has served the Region of Waterloo for 18 years not only as a well-respected medical professional but as the Commissioner and Medical Officer of Health and Public Health Emergency Services since 2020. Thanks in part to her, and all local frontline medical professionals we can gather again at various events including Canada Day here in Wilmot, where all public health guidelines that are in place at the time of the event will be followed.

Canada Day in Wilmot volunteer organizers are delighted to welcome first-time event sponsor Pet Valu - New Hamburg, who will be the primary sponsor for the Ultimutts Stunt Dog (and Cat) Show. Pet Valu - New Hamburg understands that your pet is a part of the family because they’re pet parents too. Pet Valu - New Hamburg offers a great selection of pet food, treats, toys and accessories, all at competitive prices. Grooming services are also available at their New Hamburg Sobeys Plaza location.

Additionally, the volunteer organizers are delighted to welcome back long-time sponsor Dolman Eyecare Centre as the primary sponsor of the Kids Zone featuring the always popular inflatable bouncy castles and kids craft area. Using the most advanced technology, Dolman Eyecare Centre performs comprehensive assessments and takes the time to understand all your vision needs. They offer competitively priced glasses, contact lenses, and sunglasses that come with service and warranties that are tops in the industry.

Organizers are thrilled to welcome 99.5 BOUNCE radio as a media partner. BOUNCE Radio delivers favourites from the past with hits from the 70s, 80s, 90s, and 00s as part of a roster of 25 radio stations across Canada. This event’s first Grand Marshal was 99.5 BOUNCE radio personality Angie Hill who you can catch alongside Sarge weekdays from 5:30 AM to 10:00 AM.

The 40th anniversary of Canada Day being celebrated within Wilmot will take place on July 1st in front of the Grandstands at Norm S. Hill Park at 251 Jacob Street, New Hamburg, ON, Canada.

An Indigenous Sunrise Ceremony, to welcome the beginning of a new day, as well as express appreciation and thanks for life and nature will take place at approximately 5:45 am.

The opening ceremonies start at 2:00 pm with brief words of welcome from local Indigenous elders and community dignitaries. The Dolman Eyecare Centre Kids Zone and Vendors Market will officially open at the conclusion of the opening ceremonies. Free Canada Day cake will be served courtesy of the Township of Wilmot.

Returning as the official Canada Day in Wilmot Master of Ceremonies for this year’s in-person festivities is Ryan Edwards. In 2020 this world-renowned Canadian Mentalist joined us for our online virtual event as MC and as a performer. Although his role this year as MC will be to keep the show rolling along, he may have a trick or two up his sleeve if asked really nicely. Visit mentalism.ca to find out where he is performing next.

For the first time in Wilmot, organizers are excited to welcome the Ultimutts Stunt Dog (and Cat) Show. Ultimutts, presented by Pet Valu - New Hamburg is a one-of-a-kind show featuring a variety of fantastic furry performers.

For those who have missed live music, famed children’s entertainer Erick Traplin returns to perform his highly interactive family-friendly show and Canada’s premier cover-band Orangeman presented by 99.5 BOUNCE radio returns with their energetic show featuring top party songs from the 70’s, 80's, 90's and a few top-40 hits played to perfection.

Concluding the fun-filled family-friendly Canada Day in Wilmot festivities will be a very special Fireworks display that will light up the night sky and fill hearts with hope. Recognizing that young children, pets and even veterans can have a difficult time with the sudden sound that comes with seeing beautiful streaks of colour in the sky, Northstar Fireworks have committed to reducing the auditory impact of the display.

If you are passionate about community, family and working towards a brighter future for all, the Canada Day in Wilmot volunteer organisers encourage you to share 2 hours of your day for the community. Volunteering is #EmpathyInAction.

Further details about the day’s activities and additional partners will be available in the coming weeks. To learn about this year’s Canada Day festivities please visit www.canadadayinwilmot.com or follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @CanadaDayWilmot and on Facebook at @CanadaDayInWilmot.

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In-Person Canada Day Festivities
Return to Wilmot for 2022

After a two-year hiatus from in-person activities the Canada Day in Wilmot volunteer organizers are pleased to announce the event’s return for Canada Day 2022 on Friday July 1st.

In consultation with public health, the 2022 event will focus on the outdoor aspects of the traditional family-focused activities to limit any last-minute disruptions to the planned activities. All public health guidelines that are in place at the time of the event will be followed.

The 2022 festivities will mark a new direction for local Canada Day festivities. While the public gathers to celebrate the values Canadians continuously aspire to, this is also a time to remember the past and commit to working for a brighter future for all.
 

Over this past year guidance was sought from the Indigenous community, particularly Indigenous Elder Nina De Shane on how a day celebrating peace, friendship, respect, community, family, and this country’s future - it’s children, can move forward side-by-side in a meaningful and respectful way.
 

The 2022 festivities will mark the 40th anniversary of Canada Day being celebrated within Wilmot.
 

The day’s activities will begin at roughly 5:45 am with an Indigenous Sunrise Ceremony, to welcome the beginning of a new day, as well as express appreciation and thanks for life and nature.
 

Canada Day in Wilmot will take place in front of the Grandstands at Norm S. Hill Park at 251 Jacob Street, New Hamburg, ON, Canada.  To ensure the high caliber of entertainment that’s expected from the community can continue a modest $5 admission fee for attendees 14 and over is expected to be in place.
 

The opening ceremonies will commence at 2:00 pm with brief words of welcome from local Indigenous elders and community dignitaries. The Kids Zone and Vendors Market will officially open at the conclusion of opening ceremonies.
 

Free Canada Day cake will be served courtesy of the Township of Wilmot.

For the first time in Wilmot organizers are delighted to welcome the Ultimutts Stunt Dog (and Cat) Show. Ultimutts is a one-of-a-kind show featuring a variety of fantastic furry performers, who were rescued as unwanted pets. These 4-legged stars of Movie and TV are eager to show off their stunts, tricks, and demonstrations for Canada Day attendees.
 

Acclaimed children’s entertainer and community favourite Erick Traplin returns to perform his highly interactive family-friendly show.

Canada’s premier cover band Orangeman had a great time with the audience in 2019 and will return with their show featuring top party songs from the 70’s, 80's, 90's and a few top-40 hits played to perfection.
 

To conclude the fun filled family-friendly Canada Day in Wilmot festivities will be a very special Fireworks display that will light up the night sky and fill hearts with hope. 

More exciting news and details are to come leading up to the big day. 
 

If you are passionate about community, family and working towards a brighter future for all, the Canada Day in Wilmot volunteer organizers encourage you to share 2 hours of your day for the community.  
 
To learn more about this year’s Canada Day festivities please visit  www.canadadayinwilmot.com or follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @CanadaDayWilmot and on Facebook at @CanadaDayInWilmot.

We'll need volunteers for various support roles such as directing vendors to their parking spot/vendor spot and assisting at various entrances and issuing a wrist bands. 

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