Event Map:

 For an accessible map with all the details go to: Meaford Canada Day 2023 and click on the stars for more details.

Check out the businesses and restaurants that are open downtown!

Food and Refreshments:

8-10 a.m.: For all you early birds!  A delicious pancake breakfast hosted by the Military Family Resource Centre and the Rotary Club of Meaford, located at the Rotary Pavilion at the Meaford Harbour, complete with coffee, tea and juice. Coffee is generously donated by Tim Hortons.

11-2 p.m.: Beer Garden and Grill Zone hosted by the Rotary Club of Meaford. They’ll have sausages, hot dogs, and burgers on the grill and for the adults, cold beer in the beer garden.

2-6:30 p.m.: Beer Garden hosted by the Kinsmen Club of Meaford. Join us in the pavilion for refreshments and fun! 

Family Fun and Celebrations:

8-11 a.m.: Adventure awaits! Build confidence in and around the water with iSUP Saugeen. Learn about Ontario's safe boating practices, develop lifesaving skills, and explore beautiful Georgian Bay on an inflatable stand up paddle board. Pre-register @ https://isupsaugeen.ca/events  Located on the Bayfield Street docks.

8:30-10:30 a.m.: Indigenous Collaboration – Heather McIntyre is an Indigenous Life and Wellness Coach with her professional practice The Chronicles of Momma Mac and the Mamaway/Banac Project Coordinator and Lead Facilitator of the Working Together Wiijinokiiwag Cultural Awareness and Education Program. Heather will be holding space under the big trees (grassy area behind Sail Georgian Bay building) for a Community Wellness Circle. All ages are welcome. Bring a blanket or mat to sit on during circle.

10-3 p.m..: Guided Canoe Tours by the Big Canoe Project. Walks-ins will be welcome. If you would like to register ahead of time, you can log-in to our recreation programming here.  Once you have logged in, select: Schedule > Special Interest > Family/All Ages to register in advance.  Located on the Bayfield Street docks.

10 a.m.: Yoga on the pier taught by Beth Rutty. No pre-registrations required. Please wear red and white or orange, and bring a yoga mat and water bottle.  

10-3 p.m..: Golden Town Cruisers Car Show down Bayfield Street. Enjoy the wonder of restored cars from year's past.

10-4 p.m.: Excitement for the kids and the kids at heart!  Have fun on the 50ft inflatable obstacle course (dual lane), Gladiator Jousting, mega slide, basketball hoops, High Striker, and cotton candy!  Located beside the Rotary Harbour Pavilion. No charge to participate.

10-4 p.m.: Canada Day fun and history with The Meaford Museum, located at 111 Bayfield Street.  Drop by and check out the Meaford Rock Snake and so much more. 

11:15 a.m.: Join us for the opening ceremony with Indigenous drumming, a land acknowledgement and flag raising ceremony with Mayor Ross Kentner at the flagpole, located at the entrance to the harbour. Followed by a special song and ceremony by Heather McIntyre, highlighting our Indigenous heritage, after which the Goldenaires will perform the Canadian Anthem.  Both the Canadian flag and the Every Child Matters Flag will be risen.

After the singing of the National Anthem and flag raising the Rotary Club of Meaford will award the Citizen of the Year.  The ceremony will close with Indigenous drumming and then head to the pavilion for donuts, generously donated by Tim Hortons. 

11:30-2:30 p.m.: Stilt walker, juggler and a mini clown will be wandering around performing, taking the celebrations to new heights. Jennifer Merrifield will be performing on stilts while Robbin Darling will accompany her with juggling swords and other implements. An added bonus of a mini clown tagging along with various flow toys will be fun for everyone to watch and enjoy.

Sponsored by The Meaford Culture Foundation.

Don't forget to venture downtown for a sidewalk sale taking place all day long and grab some great food from our many awesome restaurants while you're there!   

12-2 p.m.: Axe Throwing fun for all ages located beside the Rotary Harbour Pavilion. No charge, but must have closed toe shoes to participate. 

12-4 p.m.: The Meaford Fire Department will be there with Sparky the Fire Dog, a few fire trucks and they will be offering demonstrations and answering your questions. 

12:45 p.m.: Dam Pub Air Show generously provided by the Dam Pub. Super special thanks to Gord Price and his team. We welcome you to Meaford! You can check out their menu or make a reservation at thedampub.ca. 

1-4 p.m.: Canada Day Celebrations with the Meaford Public Library, located in between the steps of the pavilion. Many fun activities offered here. 

1-4 p.m.: Talk with the Meaford Cultural Services team, located on the cement pad beside the library. Learn about all of the great events and activities happening at Meaford Hall and Meaford Museum this summer.  Sign up and find out some ideas for next year’s celebrations of the Town of Meaford’s sesquicentennial. 

Don't forget to venture downtown for a sidewalk sale taking place all day long and grab some great food at our restaurants while you're there!   

Community Connection Vendors: 

10-4 p.m.: Vendors Market, Meaford Harbour, 1 Don Bumstead Drive, Meaford. 

Plenty of vendors and community organizations to connect with, and learn from:

• The Canadian Pet Connection – Canine cool down station, treat bags and prizes to be won!  Learn about all of the great dog park areas where you can take your furry friends in and around Meaford!
• Meaford International Film Festival - Find out what films will be showing at this year’s Meaford International Film Festival, taking place August 31 to September 3, 2023, back at Meaford Hall and in the big tent! 
• Christmas On The Bay - This an annual European-style 4-day outdoor Christmas market that will showcase the finest artisans and producers of south Georgian Bay. Stop by the wooden vendor shed and learn more about this exciting new event that will be happening in the heart of Meaford November 30, December 1, 2 & 3. Perhaps you want to become involved as one of our select vendors, as a sponsor, or as a treasured volunteer?  With all the lights, sounds, sights and ambiance one would expect from such a magical event, Christmas On The Bay is not something that you will want to miss!
• Beautiful Joe Heritage Society - Come and connect with volunteers, learn about the story of Beautiful Joe the amazing park named after him, and check out the "Smooch a Pooch".
  
• Meaford Rotary Club - Stop by to see our display of "Rotary House" achievements, Fundraising Information and Promotional material.
• Meaford Chamber of Commerce and Summerfest - This great group of locals are excited to connect with neighbours to promote a new summer festival happening August 5, 2023 downtown and in the market square right here in Meaford. Get excited for an amazing sidewalk sale, poutine-off, dog parade, car show and painting of the Meaford doors. Follow @DoorsofMeaford for more info. 

• The folks from the Farmer’s House will be bringing down their poppy red and white 1956 Ford F100, along with brochures and signage. They have poured a lot of love into this old truck, and even appealed to the province of Ontario to let them use the custom license plate, ‘ROADAPPL’.  Come on over to their table and get to know them, and see their truck.

• The Grey Grannies - A small group of local women who fund raise for the Grandmothers Campaign which partners with African grandmothers raising their orphaned grandchildren and who support their communities in dozens of different ways. The focus was and still is on AIDS victims. Please go to grandmotherscampaign.org for more information.      
  They are hosting a book sale with the proceeds going to the Grandmothers Campaign.
• Meaford Creative Arts Association - Come and meet some artists from our groups and enjoy the paintings and art cards for sale.  The groups meets every Monday at Meaford Hall.
• Meaford Maples - Come and enjoy Maple Syrup samples, explanation of maple syrup grading, nutritional information for maple syrup, items for sale - maple leaf candies and maple kettle corn.
• Wounded Warriors of Canada PTSD dog program in association with All That Matters by Amy  - Amy will be offering home decor, jewelry, pocket watches, pillow covers, coronation items with proceeds going to support Wounded Warriors.
• Robert Burcher – Robert Burcher will be selling his book - My Summer of Glorious Freedom on July 1. It is a book that talks about John Muir and his time of living in Meaford in 1864 to 1866. Muir, an American, returned to the USA and became a hero of the conservation movement. He was the founder of the American National Parks system and the co-founder of the Sierra Club. That club is now the world's largest nature organization with over three million members. It is believed his time in the Bighead River valley was pivotal to his development as an environmental warrior.  The Trout Hollow Trails Association is now restoring the trails and bridges in the BigHead River Valley. Volunteers are welcomed. Talk to Robert!
• Friendship 55+ Club and The Women's Institute will have a table inviting people to learn about their club and memberships.
• Creative Country Girl, plus sewing, signs and Sunset Gourmet

• Meaford Theatre Company is a non-profit organization dedicated to offering theatrical productions in the beautiful Woodford Hall. Stop by our MTC table to learn about our amazing Youth Acting Workshop Program, our upcoming Plays and lots of exciting volunteer opportunities designed for you! 

Music and Entertainment: 

Get excited! Live music will be returning and will be performing throughout the day! A stage will be set up by the Rotary Harbour Pavilion, 1 Don Bumstead Drive, Meaford.  Plenty of shaded green space to come enjoy.

Special thanks to our emcee, JD Moffat and LITE99.3 FM for guiding us through this magnificent line up!

9-:45 p.m.: Scott Almond – Meaford born and raised, singer-songwriter, Scott Almond has a soulful voice and can really sing the blues.  He released 4 songs to Europe off his Hard Land CD in 2005 to 2007. Playing all your favorite classic country and rock hits from the Eagles, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Bruce Springsteen and more.

10 – 11 am: Our Shotgun Wedding - Our Shotgun Wedding is the warm and honest collaboration of Dylan McMullin and Lauren Jewell. The infectious chemistry of this husband and wife duo simmers constantly, and boils over on stage. The style of these multi–instrumentalists is as infectious as the catchy toe-tapping songs they perform. The couple met in 2010 at Summerfolk Music Festival in Owen Sound, Ontario and a 5 track demo EP entitled “Ghosts of the Bury Road,” was released in 2012. The track, “The Hitchhiker” was featured on CBC Radio’s Bandwidth.
The style they bring to the stage is warm, textured and honest, yet provocative and searching. They are a dynamic young band whose song writing abilities produce lyrics and melodies that fit their musical skills so well that the result is like polished pyrite, everyday ideas presented in a cleanly finished way that works so well. Our Shotgun Wedding’s music is fresh and new, confronting yet comforting. And while their music may be new to you, it still comes across sounding oh so familiar. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGtFthtlInc

12–12:45 pm: Andy G and Friends – Kids entertainment

Canadian folk rock & roots singer/songwriter Andy Griffiths wants to tell you about a cat named Flash.  “Flash was a wonderful cat with a loving personality and a lot of character,” says Andy. “When we brought Flash home as a kitten, he would always run around the house at top speed and often got into trouble ... here and there!"
So it goes for the meowable muse behind Andy”s first children”s album, 'OUR CAT FLASH' ... and children”s picture book to accompany it ... illustrated by multiple award winning artist “Helen Griffiths”.
Andy G and Friends bring to stage a whole bunch of fun, sing along, danceable, toe tapping tunes in their interactive children”s/family show. A great mix of new original songs penned by Andy G ... as well as some fun classic kids standards. For children ages 1 to 8yrs old ... and the “older kids” too !
With a fun and energetic stage presence, hand puppets, tuba, slide whistle, shakers, froggy guiros, guitars and voices ... these big kids always put smiles on the faces of their audiences!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOwCt4-8XDo

            Proudly Sponsored by Meaford Culture Foundation

1:30-2:15 pm: Andy Griffiths Band – Folk rock – Tom Petty, Beatles, Steve Miller etc.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KhgzpHAk3k&t=65s

2:20-2:25 pm: Scarecrow Invasion – Come and see the Kazoo band serenade us while they get ready for celebrating on Friday, September 29, 2023.

2:30-3:15 pm: Melissa Dawne– Melissa Dawne is a singer/songwriter who ranks herself under an umbrella of Canadiana inspired influences.  She incorporates Roots/Rock, Alternative and Celtic styles in her writing. 

Over the years, listening to indie music has impacted her love of songwriting. Assisting her to create root inspired material that is emotional & raw. Recognizing her celtic/east coast heritage has brought Melissa Dawne to appreciate music of yesteryear, resulting in her own new eclectic melodies.  www.melissadawne.ca
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ymBVmPBy_k

3:45-4:45 a.m.: Paige Warner – With an evocative voice that captivates her audience, Paige Warner creates alt-pop music that sits between singer-songwriter, blues-rock, and R&B with soul-inspired vocal licks layered on catchy hooks and rhythms. With over 80,000 combined listens on Spotify alone, Paige’s recent singles have drawn love from media and listeners alike. Having performed on stages such as NXNE, Owen Sound’s Summerfolk, TD Harbour Nights, and opening for iconic artists including Ron Sexsmith and Monowhales, Warner’s dedicated fan base continues to grow. Paige will be hitting the stage with her full band to play some of her favourites for Canada Day in Meaford. So get ready to sing along, share some feelings, and maybe even dance for a song or two!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggnLI9PRAmw

5:15-6:45 p.m.: Shane Cloutier – Shane Cloutier is a Canadian born and raised singer-songwriter. He writes acoustic anthems focused on life experiences, perseverance, and reflection. His music speaks loudly to his listeners leaving them wanting more. Shane’s strong emotional voice and his work as a guitarist, combined with his heavy metal influences creates an uncommon sound for a folk musician. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UahvsFnsYNI

A BIG Shout out to our Sponsors and Supporters: 

A great big THANK YOU to the following community organizations and people for their efforts in making Canada Day here in Meaford amazing. 

Rotary Club of Meaford

Kinsmen and Kinette Club of Meaford

Military Family Resource Centre  

Meaford Legion

The Dam Pub

Meaford Culture Foundation

Meaford Tim Hortons

Meaford IDA

Godard's Independent Grocer

13 Forty Landscape Supplies

Find us on Facebook and Instagram

TD Bank Meaford

Carquest Auto Parts Meaford

Roberts Farm Equipment

Sykes Street Health Centre

Lite99.3 FM 

Thank you to the Heritage Canada Grant Foundation for their generous support of $3,840 for our wonderful Canada Day celebrations.

A Note about Fireworks: 

Canada day is a very important event here in Meaford.  It has brought us together as a community over the years and we treasure the opportunity to host.

We will not be hosting a large scale fireworks display at the Meaford Harbour but you can still enjoy fireworks at the great events held in Bognor and Annan this Canada Day weekend, space is limited, so come early. We’ve also got some great alternatives, like the Dam Pub Air Show and so much more.

Like you, the Municipality is sensitive to inflation and understands our responsibility to use tax dollars efficiently. Prices are going up and supplies can be difficult to secure, fireworks are certainly included in this. Therefore, we have had to reflect on where we can spend our money while still offering a great event for our residents. To host an inclusive event we have made the decision to forego fireworks and will instead offer great activities and music by local artists.  

We’ve seen other municipalities shift to alternatives to fireworks like light shows that are less noisy and friendlier for wild animals and our pets. This is an alternative that we are investigating to see if it is a possibility for our future Canada Day events. We are excited that there is an air show planned in the afternoon on Canada Day over the Harbour that has been sponsored by the Dam Pub, and will give us reason to look to the sky.

We want everyone to enjoy Canada Day with us and we are working on bringing you the best event we can now that we are able to gather in person.