The Annual Uranium Heritage Days kicked off in Elliot Lake last night with a rib fest.
There will be plenty of food, treats, and entertainment with the variety of events planned for the next four days ranging from the parade Saturday at noon to the street dance featuring four bands.
Not only is it a celebration of Canada Day, but the weekend festival also celebrates the heritage of Elliot Lake and its mining heritage.
SATURDAY
The events on Saturday kicks off with the Uranium Heritage breakfast at the Masonic Hall from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m.
From 8 a.m. until noon there will be a yard sale hosted by the Elliot Lake Lions Club at the Collins Hall. And starting at 11 a.m., the Lions Club will host its annual Western Jamboree and barbecue at the same location.
In addition, the North Shore Croziers will hold a car show at the Collins Hall beginning at 11 a.m.
At noon, the Uranium Heritage Days Parade will leave the Scotiabank parking lot and make its way to the Collins Hall. Those planning to have an entry in the parade are asked to register at the Collins Hall or at city hall.
STREET DANCE
That evening, the Uranium Heritage Days Street Dance will have four bands taking to the stage in the Lower Plaza.
The opening band is local, Chill and includes Steve Manuel, Tom O’Grady, and Mark Pilatzke.
They will be followed by Larry Berrio, a country artist from Sudbury.
Next up will be Against the Wind: The Ultimate Bob Seger Experience.
Last up is the band Mudmen, made up of Robby Campbell, Sandy Campbell, Jeremy Burton, Mike Meacher, and Dan Westenenk. They were originally known as the Campbell Brothers. They have played on Parliament Hill for Canada Day, at some NHL games and more.
Tickets for the street dance are $23 in advance at the Collins Hall and $34 at the gate.
The gate opens at 6 p.m., with the music starting at 6:30 p.m.
The street dance is an age of majority event. One must be at least 19 years old to enter.
SUNDAY
The celebration continues on Sunday, beginning with a barbecue and music at the Claire Dimock Children’s Centre at 12 Westhill Road from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Claire Dimock Children’s Centre will be celebrating its 20 anniversary.
At Spine Beach, from 1 to 4 p.m., the Algoma Paddlers Canoe and Kayak Club will be providing rides in its 36-foot Montreal canoe. It is a replica of the huge canoes used by the voyageurs a few hundred years ago.
Also beginning at 1 p.m., the Moose Family Centre will be holding its Uranium Heritage Beerfest.
For 5 to 10 p.m., the Society for Animals in Distress will host a barbecue at Westview Park for a donation. There will also be music.
Then at 7 p.m., the Stage Door Players will be holding the production of Another Open’in – Another Show at the Collins Hall. Tickets are required, but they are free. The tickets are available at the Collins Hall from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Capping off the evening will be the first of two fireworks displays over the weekend. The first is a ‘quiet’ fireworks display at dusk at Westview Park.
Ted Roque, of Dreamcatcher Fireworks, says “They’ll be as quiet as we can get it.”
He says for quiet fireworks they use shells such as comets, mines, and Roman candles, which make less noise than traditional varieties.
These fireworks make less noise than regular ones for those stressed by loud noise, including children, seniors and pets.
MONDAY
Monday is the final day of Uranium Heritage Days 2019.
It opens with the Elliot Lake Arts Club Weavers Yard and Craft Sale from 8 a.m. to noon at the Collins Hall.
The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 561 will host a flag-raising ceremony at the cenotaph at 11 a.m.
From noon to 4 p.m. there will be the Canada Day Beach Party at Spruce Beach, hosted by the city and the Moose Family Centre.
The city and the Moose Family Centre are bringing in bouncy castles to the event.
Darla Hennessey, the city’s events coordinator, says there is a 56-foot obstacle course, a climbing wall and a bouncy castle.
At 1 p.m., the Legion will host the annual Cemetery Pilgrimage to Woodland Cemetery.
From 5 to 10 p.m., the city and the Rotary Club of Elliot Lake will host a Canada Day Barbecue at Westview Park.
It will be followed by the traditional Canada Day fireworks, noise and all at dusk.
