With new activities on land and water, organizers say this year sets a new standard
With new additions to Woodstock’s Canada Day festivities, organizers say it will be the best one yet.
With team efforts from the Town of Woodstock, Woodstock Paddling Club, July 1st Floats, Elks Club, Farmers Market, and the Royal Canadian Legion, organizers Maryann Walker and Lisa Porter say the event is shifting from a water-focused festival to a music-and-waterfront festival—offering more entertainment and vendors than in the past three years.
“We’ve been working really hard over the last few years with the town to try to engineer activities from the time the sun is coming up till the time the sun is going down to give people a full day of family-friendly, free quality entertainment,” said Porter.
“We’re hoping to draw an even bigger crowd this year. We’re quite proud of all the music that we’re adding. This started out as more of a water kind of festival and is evolving into even more,” said Walker.
This year will feature floating cornhole, a paddleboard parade, a motorcycle and classic car parade, more live music, including live radio broadcasting, and a free shuttle bus that will run every 30 minutes from the AYR Motor Centre to Harvest House, downtown.
With the expanded vendor market, all-day music, and other add-ons, Porter says she hopes the expansion will draw a larger crowd and bring the community together in celebration.
“We want people from one year old to 100 years old to join us,” said Walker.
Schedule:
8:30 a.m.- Waterfront (King Street)
• Exercise with Sydney Haines
9:00 a.m.- Various Locations
• AYR Motor Centre — Kids of Steel Triathlon Race
• Waterfront (NBCC Parking Lot) — Vendor Market & Bouncy Castles from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Waterfront (King Street) — Vendor Market & Bouncy Castles 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Live Music: The Retros from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• Woodstock Farm & Craft Market — Strawberry Shortcake (while supplies last), open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
9:30 a.m.- Waterfront (Meduxnekeag River)
• Paddle Board Water Parade — Hawaiian Theme
10 a.m.- Waterfront (King Street)
• Floating Cornhole Competition
◦ Registration at 9:30 a.m.
◦ Kayaks & lifejackets provided by Wolastoq Paddling School
• Country Tall performs from 10 to 11 a.m.
11 a.m.- Waterfront (NBCC Parking Lot)
• Cake Cutting
• Welcome Message from the Mayor
• The Wave 104.1 broadcasting live from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Dragon Boat Races at 11:15
11:15 a.m.- Woodstock Elks Club
• Bicycle & Classic Car Parade
◦ Lineup at 10:30 a.m.
◦ Route: Green to Main to Water St.
11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.- Town Bridge
• Plastic Ducky Race
◦ Tickets on sale at Town Square & Vendor Market (NBCC)
11:45 a.m.- King Street
• Children’s Parade
◦ Starts at Gazebo, ends at Royal Canadian Legion
12 p.m.- Royal Canadian Legion
• Flag Raising
• Free BBQ from 12 to 2 p.m.
• 12:30 p.m.- Kids’ Mini Obstacle Course
12 to 10 p.m. – Woodstock Elks Club
• BBQ & Strawberry Daiquiris
12 p.m.- Waterfront (King Street)
• Ukulele Group
1 p.m.- Waterfront (King Street)
• Jess Warman performs
2 p.m.- Royal Canadian Legion
• Noel & Cora perform
3 p.m.- Waterfront (King Street)
• Whatever Karaoke with Gordy
5 p.m.- Waterfront (King Street)
• Food Vendor Market
• Alpine John performs from 6 to 7 p.m.
5:15 p.m.- Royal Canadian Legion
• 50/50 Ball Race
◦ Tickets available at RCL
8 p.m.- Waterfront (King Street)
• Whatever Karaoke with Gordy
8:30 p.m.- Waterfront
• Valley Yacht Club Boat Parade
10 p.m.- Waterfront
• Fireworks Show
