Banff, AB – The Town of Banff is proceeding with its annual Canada Day celebration Monday, with a full slate of activities and entertainment for visitors and residents.
The morning kicks off with the Canada Day Pancake Breakfast, hosted by Melissa’s Missteak and Banff Park Lodge. Breakfast is served between 8 and 10, on the grassy lawn in front of the Homestead Hotel at 217 Lynx Avenue.
Then head down the street to The Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies for Sidewalk Painting, starting at 10:30 a.m. Show your national pride and create your own piece of Canadian-themed sidewalk art using environmentally friendly tempera paint.
Festivities in Central Park (corner of Banff Avenue and Buffalo Street) get underway at noon, with a welcome ceremony featuring Banff National Park Superintendent Dave McDonough and Town of Banff Mayor Karen Sorensen, and the national anthem sung by Heather Jordan.
The entertainment line-up includes a magic show at 1:30 p.m., Swanee & Friends at 3:30 p.m., and dance performances from Chinese Cultural Centre and Verkhovyna School of Ukrainian Dance. The family fun zone offers face painting and crafts for kids, while the new Artesian market joins a myriad of food booths.
There’s so much to see and do in Central Park, you’ll be tempted to spend the entire afternoon there, but then you’d miss your chance at fame and glory in the old-fashioned games at Banff High School. Sponsored by the Bow Valley SPCA, games are for all ages and include egg & spoon and (street pole banner) sack races. The high school also features a pooch rest area for your pet and a fundraising barbecue.
At Banff World Heritage Square (212 Banff Avenue), enjoy clown and balloon artist Isabelle Cliché and the dulcet sounds of Spanish Guitar by Andre Ibanez.
At 5 p.m., the annual Banff Canada Day parade – one of the largest in Alberta – begins to wind its way down Banff Avenue. More than 40 floats, large and small, are entered this year, including x marching bands and even more horses. (see important road closure information).
Grab a bite for dinner then head back to Central Park for an evening of dancing to the music the ever popular family friendly Dino Martinis on the Stampede Stage. The day culminates with the Canada Day fireworks display over the Bow River. Best viewing spot is right in Central Park.
Residents should use alternative modes of getting around town on Canada Day. The parking lot at Central Park will be closed all day. Recreation vehicle parking only on Railway Avenue. The Cascade Plaza parking lot has 12-hour stalls, access from Marten Street. Find parking easily with banffparking.ca.
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