Family fun, festivities, and fireworks planned for Canada Day across western New Brunswick
From community breakfasts and parades to fireworks, free swims, duck races and downtown music, communities across western New Brunswick are preparing to mark Canada Day with a full slate of July 1 celebrations.
Events are planned in the District of Carleton North, Hartland, Lakeland Ridges, Nackawic-Millville, Perth-Andover/Southern Victoria and Woodstock, giving families plenty of ways to spend the day close to home.
District of Carleton North:
The District of Carleton North will celebrate Canada Day at the Bath Fairgrounds, 200 Main St., Bath.
The day begins with a Kin Club breakfast from 7 to 10 a.m. A street parade starts at 11 a.m., followed by official opening ceremonies at noon.
Afternoon celebrations run from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The evening schedule includes free music, with Arnold Stockford and Friends performing at the Centreville Gazebo at 6:30 p.m. and The Monquartet performing at Second Wind Music Centre at 7 p.m.
A free public glow swim runs from 7 to 9 p.m. at all three pools. Fireworks are scheduled for 10 p.m.
Hartland:
Hartland will mark Canada Day with a full day of family activities, food, music and swimming.
The Hartland Mini Olympics begin at 9:30 a.m. and run through the morning, with events for children 13 and under. Activities include running races, disc throw, standing long jump, softball throw and bicycle events. Awards are scheduled from noon to 12:30 p.m.
Afternoon activities run from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the library parking lot and include a barbecue, cake, live music and a Kid Zone.
A duck race in support of the 2027 graduating class is scheduled for around 1 p.m., starting at the Hugh John Flemming Bridge.
The Bike Rodeo runs from 2 to 3 p.m. at the covered bridge.
Canada Day activities continue at the Hartland Pool with a free swim from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., and a glow swim from 7:30 to 10 p.m.
Lakeland Ridges:
Lakeland Ridges will celebrate Canada Day in Canterbury, with events sponsored by the Ward 4 Recreation Committee.
The day begins with a full sit-down breakfast served by the Canterbury Ladies Auxiliary at the Canterbury Community Centre beginning at 7:30 a.m. The breakfast is by donation.
Community yard sales will take place throughout the community, with times varying by location.
An adult washer toss tournament will be held at the Canterbury Community Centre. Registration begins at 11 a.m., with games starting at noon. The cost is $20 per person, with prizes for first and second place.
A barbecue will be available at the community centre from 11 a.m. throughout the day.
Evening activities include a bonfire at 8 p.m. at the community centre, with marshmallows, Canada Day cake and sparklers. Fireworks are scheduled for dark.
Nackawic-Millville:
Nackawic-Millville will host Canada Day in Nackawic, from 2 to 10:30 p.m. at the Big Axe, 152 Otis Drive.
The afternoon and evening celebration will include family activities, food, live entertainment and fireworks.
Festivities begin at 2 p.m. and include face painting, rock painting, colouring sheets, chalk fun, bubbles and water games.
Food options include Haddies Fish and Chip Truck and a Lions Club barbecue.
Cake with the mayor and a community sing-along of O Canada are also planned.
Live music begins at 7 p.m., with performances by Paul Sherman, Thick as Thieves and Door Yard Drifters.
Fireworks are scheduled for dusk.
Perth-Andover / Southern Victoria:
The Village of Southern Victoria will host a Canada Day celebration at Veteran’s Field in Perth-Andover.
Activities run from 1 to 3 p.m. and include a barbecue, a Canada Day cake-cutting ceremony, live entertainment, a dunk tank, animals from Dragon Mire Farms, bouncy castles, games, glitter face painting and family activities.
Fireworks are scheduled for 9:45 p.m. at the waterfront, or as soon as it gets dark.
Woodstock:
Woodstock’s Canada Day celebration will turn the waterfront into a day-long community festival, with activities planned both on land and on the water.
The July 1st Floats celebration is a team effort involving the Town of Woodstock, Woodstock Paddling Club, July 1st Floats, the Elks Club, the Farm Market and the Royal Canadian Legion.
The day begins at 8:30 a.m. on the King Street waterfront with exercise led by Sydney Haines.
Morning:
At 9 a.m., the AYR Motor Centre will host the Kids of Steel Triathlon Race. Vendor markets and bouncy castles will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the NBCC parking lot and along the King Street waterfront.
The Retros perform from 9 a.m. to noon. The Woodstock Farm and Craft Market will be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., with strawberry shortcake available while supplies last.
A Hawaiian-themed paddleboard water parade starts at 9:30 a.m. on the Meduxnekeag River.
Floating cornhole begins at 10 a.m. on the King Street waterfront, with registration at 9:30 a.m. Kayaks and lifejackets will be provided by Wolastoq Paddling School. Country Tall performs from 10 to 11 a.m.
Noon:
At 11 a.m., the NBCC parking lot will host a cake-cutting and a welcome message from the mayor. The Wave 104.1 will broadcast live from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Dragon boat races begin at 11:15 a.m.
A bicycle and classic car parade also starts at 11:15 a.m. from the Woodstock Elks Club, with lineup at 10:30 a.m. The route follows Green Street to Main Street to Water Street.
The plastic ducky race runs from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. from the town bridge, with tickets available at Town Square and the NBCC vendor market.
A children’s parade begins at 11:45 a.m. on King Street, starting at the gazebo and ending at the Royal Canadian Legion.
At noon, the Royal Canadian Legion will host a flag-raising and free barbecue from noon to 2 p.m. A kids’ mini obstacle course begins at 12:30 p.m.
The Woodstock Elks Club will offer barbecue and strawberry daiquiris from noon to 10 p.m.
Afternoon and evening:
Music continues through the day on the King Street waterfront, with a ukulele group at noon, Jess Warman at 1 p.m., Whatever Karaoke with Gordy at 3 p.m., Alpine John from 6 to 7 p.m., and more karaoke at 8 p.m.
Noel and Cora perform at the Royal Canadian Legion at 2 p.m.
A food vendor market opens at 5 p.m. on the King Street waterfront. The Legion will also host a 50/50 ball race at 5:15 p.m., with tickets available at the Legion.
The Valley Yacht Club boat parade is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. on the waterfront.
Fireworks are scheduled for 10 p.m.
A free shuttle bus will run every 30 minutes from the AYR Motor Centre to Harvest House downtown.
Happy Canada Day!
Regardless of how you plan to celebrate, the staff at the River Valley Sun newspaper hopes everyone has a safe and enjoyable Canada Day 2026!
