Music, Bouncy Castles, and a Pie in the Face: Canada Day in Manitouwadge

MANITOUWADGE--There was much to do and see in Manitouwadge on July 1^st, Canada’s 155^th birthday. The kids rode their decorated bicycles through downtown Manitouwadge, then past the hospital so the patients, residents and staff could be part of the fun.

The official opening ceremonies took place later that afternoon, and although rain interrupted the welcoming speeches by Mayor John MacEachern and event co-ordinator, Nickie Chik, the celebration continued, with the singing of Happy Birthday and Oh, Canada. Then it was on with the show! Rock n’ Roll band, ‘From June to the Storm’,  and country music band ‘Badd Habits’ took to the stage, where they provided a continuous stream of great music throughout the evening.

Hot dogs and hamburgers were served up by the Catholic Women’s Society, and there were other treats available, including popcorn and Sno-cones, and the ‘Back 9’ clubhouse’s upper deck was open for food and adult beverages. For the kids, there were three bouncy castles and carnival games, and for the older folks, there were several skill-testing contests.

For a $2 donation, you could take a guess at how many balloons it took to fill up the firetruck. The answer was 178; the winner’s guess was almost spot on, with her number being 177! Moosetrax, a local outdoor store, provided a prize of a Chilly Moose cooler, thermos, cups and a beach floaty ring.

The adult football toss contest, where players threw a football into various sized targets, resulted in a three-way tie; the names of the winners were drawn from a hat to determine who would win the first, second and third prizes of $300, $150 and $50 prizes of Manitouwadge Extreme Dollars, donated by Barrick.

The pie in the face contest was very popular! Folks could place a bid on who they wanted to see ‘creamed’: Mayor John MacEachern, Councillor, Jim Moffatt, Director, Katie Law, Bylaw Officer Marcel DeMars, Municipal Enforcement Officer, Matthew Gascon, and OPP officer, Rueben Bierworth, all volunteered to take one for the team. Although all ‘contestants’ had some bids, it was Matthew Gascon, the recently appointed bylaws enforcement officer who most wanted to see get the pie in the face. Welcome, Matthew, and thanks for being a good sport!

At the end of the day, when the rain and wind had finally calmed down, the residents were able to settle in at Prospector’s Park to watch the awesome fireworks show, sponsored in part by Manroc and Barminco.

Whether you’ve been in town for many years, a relative newcomer or a brand-new Canadian Citizen living in the North, this post-COVID Canada Day celebration was a wonderful way to connect with our neighbours, acknowledge our history, and encompass all the good things that we Canadians strive to achieve.