Rain or shine, Canada Day celebrations are on in Saskatoon

Saskatoon is ready to wash away the rainy blues and enjoy a jam-packed day of fun on Canada Day.

Nowshad Ali, the director for Saskatoon’s Canada Day festivities, shared with 650 CKOM what the national holiday on Monday will look like in the Bridge City.

“I want to echo what our theme is for Canada day, which is ‘a respectful honouring of our nation.’ One of the things we certainly want to do is recognize that there are some truths that need to be told, recognized and acknowledged,” he said.

“Certainly as we honour the day there are a lot of activities that we have planned.”

Celebrations begin with a smudge ceremony at 1 p.m. at the River Landing Amphitheater. The day will continue with Indigenous presentations and cultural performances at the amphitheater.

“There’s a lot going on in the world today that any opportunity we have to bring each other together in fellowship in a peaceful environment is a really good thing,” Ali said.

“To be able to do a respectful honouring of our nation and to honour all of the history of Canada, I think is an important thing.”

Ali said food trucks will span the length of the Traffic Bridge, with lots of variety.

“There are food trucks galore,” Ali said. “I think we have pretty much the planet covered!”

Fun activities for kids can be found at Rotary Park throughout the day.

“Any of the sites will have stuff that is for all ages. Rotary Park will have the jumpy toys and inflatable games that they can go into, and there’s a little train ride as well,” Ali noted.

“Our bike street team will be down there, they will be doing a little bike rodeo and bike challenge. They will also do a bike Jeopardy, and give out prizes and swag.”

Families can also head down to Nasser Plaza for face painting, balloon art and the Punch Buggy Express.

Ali said on-site security will be in all areas of the planned events to keep everyone safe.

“We have several layers of security and protection that are on site. We have police that are patrolling the site at all times. We have some of them on foot and on bike. We have some of them stationed at key intersections,” he said.

“Because we have what is called a ‘Hot Zone,’ we can’t have people going into that area when the firework show is getting ready and so we have private security we hired along those routes as well.”

Later in the day, City of Saskatoon Transit will be offering complimentary transit to the event sites. Then, after the firework show, there will be complimentary buses to take them back.

“We encourage people to walk, ride their bike or take public transit to come down to the areas.”

Anyone who plans on biking to the event can bring their bikes to the bike valet near 3rd Avenue.

The night will end with the highly anticipated firework show.

Fireworks will be fired at 10:30 p.m. from the Broadway Bridge and can be viewed from the Traffic Bridge, River Landing, Rotary Park, downtown hotels and nearby parks and sidewalks.

“Bring a blanket, sit on the grass and watch the show,” Ali said. “The weather is supposed to be fantastic on Monday, and I think people will have a great environment to come together as a community in friendship and peace.”

The Saskatoon Fire Department reminded residents to keep safety in mind when purchasing, enjoying and disposing of fireworks.

“Low-hazard fireworks can only be discharged on private property between the hours of dusk and 11:00 p.m. on Monday, July 1,” the fire department noted.

The full schedule for Saskatoon Canada Day 2024 can be found online.