Nobody can say Tay Township is behind the times. They celebrate Canada Day a week early.
Tay Canada Day Celebrations take place June 23 and 24 under the big top at 290 Park St. in Victoria Harbour beside the Oakwood Community Centre.
There is lots of free food and events for children and adults.
“We don’t like to nickel-and-dime folks. We know everybody is struggling a little bit,” said event co-chair Harry Gerstheimer.
Saturday’s events starts with a parade at noon. After the parade there is free hamburgers and sausages for the entire community, thanks to sponsor Wye Heritage Marine Resort.
All the afternoon entertainment is free, starting with Dylan Lock performing at 1 p.m., Bandwidth at 3:30 and Beal Street at 5 p.m.
There is also lots of free activities for children, said Gerstheimer, including a roaming magician and characters, an exotic petting zoo, face painting and balloon animals.
“It’s a lot of fun for the kids,” he said.
For the adults, there will be at least 40 vendors and crafters set up on Saturday from 10:30 a.m. and an antique and classic car show starting a noon.
Friday’s events start at 4 p.m. The Lion’s Club is holding a steak on a bun barbecue and the band Déja Vu plays at 5:30 p.m.
This year, Gerstheimer said, the event has attracted “two fabulous bands.”
Maximum 80s, Canada’s premier 80s band from Montreal is headlining Friday night’s dance at 9 p.m.
Hotel California The Original Eagles Tribute Band is headlining entertainment Saturday night, also at 9 p.m.
The headliner band events are ticketed at a price of $20 in advance and $25 at the door per night to cover costs.
Gerstheimer, a Royal Canadian Air Force veteran, has been organizing the celebrations since 2011, the year of Victoria Harbour’s Centennial.
“This is old homecoming week. Neighbours come out who haven’t seen each other in a year and they sit there and have a great time,” he said. “What’s really nice is it’s fun. We haven’t had a fight in 10 years.”
It’s a mix of both residents and cottagers and as it’s getting more popular, the event is attracting more out of towners, he explained.
Gerstheimer is hoping for between 2,000 to 3,000 people on Saturday and for approximately 850 people for each night dance.
It’s a non-profit event. Any profits from the annual event are directed to the Southern Georgian Bay Airboat Rescue (https://www.sgbairboatrescue.com/) boat purchase. Tay Canada Day has so far donated $112,000.
For more information go to the Tay Canada Day website: taycanadaday.ca/ . Tickets can also be had by scanning the QR code from posters up around town and from local shops including Bubba’s Palace Pizza, VH Legion, Tay Township Office, Bourgeois Motors, Midland Fish & Chips, Port McNicoll Barbershop, The Village Mercantile (now The Georgian Bay Café) or by calling Doug at 705-534-4845 or Harry at 705-534-4196.
