It’s almost time to wave your flag and celebrate all things Canadian.
Canada Day is on Sunday, July 1 and the Rotary Club of Parksville has planned a 2012 edition of Canada Day celebrations that promises to be the best ever, with a full day of entertainment that promises to deliver something for everyone.
There will be a pancake breakfast followed by the annual Canada Day parade, which kicks off at 10 a.m.
The procession will wind it’s way up the Island Highway as it travels from Shelly Road east through Parksville along Island Highway, up Craig Street to the Parksville Conference and Community Centre.
At noon the official Canada Day ceremonies start in the Community Park. The fun will kick off with some opening speeches by various dignitaries and local songstress Beth Anderson will be the one to sing O Canada.
A full day of games and family events are scheduled including go-karts, kite flying demonstrations and a wide selection of food, arts and craft vendors.
There will be an entire day of music at the park starting at 1 p.m. featuring many local and Vancouver Island musical acts including Lemon Tree, Gold & Shadow, Carli & Julie Kennedy, Johnny Inappropriate, Time Well Waisted, Johnny Vallis, Tripple Grace and then the headliners the Timebenders at 8:30 p.m.
Vallis who performed in Parksville during Canada Day in 2009 and 2010 said he is thrilled to be coming back with his man of many voices show.
“It’s a lot of fun. I do the standards and I run around in the audience. The audience in Parksville enjoys what I do,” stated Vallis.
He said his hour long legends of rock n roll show has good time music that everyone in the family will enjoy.
Some of those legends include Buddy Holly, Mick Jagger and John Lennon and the presentation involves a few costume changes.
He agreed that if the weather is really hot it can be uncomfortable up on stage with so many outfits on.
“I wear different layers and I have to make little costume changes. I have had an in-house sauna for some gigs,” he laughed.
Vallis said impersonating Mick Jagger means he has to stay in shape because even though the front man for the Rolling Stones is 68 years old, the rock n roll icon is in amazing shape.
“He works out like crazy. Genetically he has that build but he works at it. He is very smart. I run and I try to keep in shape but I should be doing more than I do,” he confessed.
Vallis said this Canada Day he is bringing his six year old son with him and they will watch the parade and take part in the festivities happening throughout the day.
The celebration wraps up with a spectacular fire works display presented by Thrifty Foods. The pyrotechnics will light up the sky around 10 p.m.
For those who want to watch the fireworks in a unique way there is an opportunity to observe them from the water.
Participants will paddle off the shore of Parksville from the public beach access at Mariner Way at 8:30 p.m. The cost is $59 and you must pre-register with RDN, Recreation and Parks at 250-248-3252.