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5 | Friday June 3 0 , 2 0 1 7 | O A K V ILLE B EA VE R | w w w .in s id e h a lto n .c o m Bronte hosts 150th anniversary celebration by Nathan Howes Oakville Beaver Staff Saturday, July 1 will arguably be the biggest celebration of the year and Bronte Heritage Waterfront Park will host it. This years Canada Day festivities celebrate our country' s sesquicentennial, its 150th birthday. Hosted by the Bronte Business Improvement Area (BIA) at the Heritage Waterfront Park, the free, all-day family festival will conclude with an expansive fireworks show over Lake Ontario. Running 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., the celebration will also feature a farmers' market on Ontario Street from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m ., a vendor village with local crafts and artisans with m ore than 50 merchants, food vendors including a beer and burger garden, performances on three stages, bouncy castles, and more. "This is a once-in-a-generation celebration. Its an event that is really, really significant in terms of the BIAs ability to muster all the partners to financially present this without burdening our BIA members. W e're very proud. It' s a big success story," said Ann Sargent, Bronte BIA executive director. W hile the event has been planned for m ore than a year, there have been challenges due to recent flooding/ponding in the park from heavy rainfall that led to high Lake Ontario water levels. Sargent said the site has been "rejigged" to accommodate the wet grounds, but will go on - "rain or shine." "W e're hoping it' s going to be a hot, sunny day." More than 65 painted At Home in Bronte Muskoka chairs, funded by the Ontario 150 Community Celebration Program, will be on display, anti there will be the Bronte I leritage Trail tour. The fireworks will begin at 10 p.m. New this year will be visits from Oakville hometown heroes including IndyCar driver James Hinchcliffe, golfer Sandra Post and hockey legend Vic Hadfield as well as nusician and Order of Canada recipient Ronnie Hawkins. Also new, the festival will feature 18 bands and performance groups on three stages, including a full production of O Canada by Sheridan College during a opening ceremonies will begin at 3 p.m. and feature the Royal Canadian Legion' s Colour Party and Halton Police Pipe and Drums Piper. There will also be plenty of activities for children including a KidZone with bouncies (with tickets purchased from Niagara Inflatables) and the free half-hour Toopy and Binoo show at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Complimentary birthday cupcakes will be served to the first 2 0 0 children. Shuttle service will be provided by Oakville Transit to the park from the Bronte GO Station, with trips every five minutes. Regular fares will be required to the park, but the return ride will be free. F o r full details, visit: oakvilletransit.ca. "W e're encouraging everybody to wear red and white and show your Canadian pride," said Sargent. Road closures will be in effect in the area and parking will be restricted. Emergency services will be on-site during the event. Pets m ay be best left at home. W ater refill stations will be available. Bronte Heritage Waterfront Park is at 2 3 4 0 Ontario St. F o r information, visit www.oakville. ca, www.brontevillage.net, call 9 0 5 -8 2 5 -3 2 5 8 or email info@brontevillage.net. Tine Patriot Love performance. A complete e n t e r t a i n m e n t schedule can be found at wwwbrontevillage.net/ Canada-150/. The afternoon main stage fOAKVILLE UNITED TAXI 7 DAYS A WEEK A ir p o r t & O u t-o f-T o w n S e r v i c e -- -- | e A ija io O O O p w o iK j b h e ib w w w .o a kville u n ite d ta xi.co m Thinking of Retiring... Someday? Let's Talk. Visit our website to sign up for a free consultation. P e te r W a ts o n M B A , CFP, R.F.P., C IM , FC S I J e n n ife r W a ts o n B.A. 2 2 0 R a n d a ll S tre e t, D o w n to w n O a k v ille 9 0 5 -8 4 2 -2 1 0 0 p e te rw a ts o n in v e s tm e n ts .c o m OAKViLLE TO TORONTO PEARSON AiRPORT STARTiNG FROM ONLY $45. CALL US FOR DETAILS.