Even though it’s a holiday that has been celebrated for over 140 years, this year’s Canada Day celebrations are shaping up to be some of the best yet.

The Thornbury BIA is hosting its annual Canada Day celebrations on July 1, with the  theme “Support our Troops” with support from Meaford’s Land Force Central Area Training Centre.

The day begins at 9 a.m. with an hour-long pancake breakfast at the Town Hall, and finishes at dusk at Bridges Tavern for family fireworks.

In between, there are a host of things for residents and tourists alike to enjoy, including a meeting with the coast guard and the Town of the Blue Mountains' fire boat at the Thornbury harbour, and cake cutting and the singing of our national anthem at the Bruce Street Parkette in downtown Thornbury.

Live entertainment from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. in downtown Thornbury, and a barbecue at the same time, is a way for people to come together through good food and music.

If all of this doesn’t get you excited for Canada Day, perhaps a parade through downtown Thornbury will.

“The parade is definitely the central event for the day, and includes floats from the Rotary, firefighters, veterans, and local golfer Meg Chapman being chauffeured in a golf cart,” said Maggie Kennedy, Thornbury BIA’s event coordinator.

The parade wouldn’t be complete without the help of eager young bike riders willing to decorate their bikes for Canada Day, and ride them downtown with the parade. All interested bikers are asked to meet at BVCS at 9:30 a.m. to put the finishing touches on their bikes, and help out those who have undecorated bikes. Children’s games and face painting will also be taking place after the parade until 3 p.m.

While Kennedy is most looking forward to the pancake breakfast, she promises that the parade will not disappoint, and urges everyone to come downtown and show some of the national pride that Canada is known for.

“This year is going to be bigger and better than ever before. Come check it out for yourself and you won’t be disappointed.”

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