Canada Day in Pelham will be a unique celebration again this year, embracing the day’s spirit by adjusting to hybrid, virtual and drive-thru elements. Last year, events were entirely virtual, and while some virtual components remain in this year’s lineup, several additions are interactive and will get residents moving safely throughout the town.

A drive-thru parade is scheduled at Centennial Park for the morning, where attendees are required to register for a free parade pass for entry. Passes are available in limited quantity based on event capacity. Pelham residents can register for their pass beginning June 15. Open registration for those outside Pelham opens on June 25.

A limited number of Canada Day celebration kits for Pelham residents will be available to reserve on June 15 and contain festive elements to add to at-home celebrations. New this year is the interactive Moose Chase, where Pelham residents can explore unique Canadian-inspired missions throughout the day with their very own Moose.

“We can host some different activities this year, so we wanted to make the most out of it,” said Leah Letford, special events and festivals programmer. “The addition of the drive-thru parade and interactive the Moose Chase missions complement the other virtual elements and allows the community to celebrate  while staying connected and safely enjoy the day individually.”

One way the community can celebrate is with a limited edition Pelham Canada Day t-shirts, with all proceeds going to Pelham Cares. Curb Side pick-up will be available for the t-shirts after June 23 at the Meridian Community Centre. Some of the day’s favourite elements are back again this year with the kid’s bike decorating contest, home decorating contest, and new this year, a youth colouring contest.

On the virtual side, residents can enjoy some live online experiences, which include:

• Interactive magic show
• Mad Science workshops
• Pelhams Great Canadian Talent showcase
• Virtual 5K and kids 1K run

Pelham is also participating in Canada Day the Niagara Way, featuring ways to explore the Niagara Region through the GooseChase app. In addition, a national broadcast will take place on July 1, with Canadians coast-to-coast to coast celebrating their country, including the enjoyment of virtual fireworks. Links to the National celebration can be found on Pelhams dedicated Canada Day website.

A full list of activities with registration, guidelines, and more information can be found at www.pelham.ca/canada-day or by calling Leah Letford at 905-892-2607 x352.

Canada Day Celebrations in Pelham are supported by funding provided by the Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage Celebrate Canada Program.