We’re celebrating the first outdoor Canada Day in two years due to – you guessed it – removal of COVID restrictions. It was just at the start of the pandemic when the Portage Regional Recreation Authority (PRRA) welcomed its new recreation manager Zapphira Neuschwander.

Neuschwander says this makes this year’s Canada Day celebration her very first opportunity to put her hand to the task. She notes this moved her to handle the event in a more conservative manner.

"I decided to go with a very standard approach to Canada Day before making any wild changes," says Neuschwander. "The Rotary Club of Portage is doing their pancake breakfast again followed by opening ceremonies at 11:30 a.m. and a cake cutting at 12 p.m. Then for the rest of the day, we have mainstage entertainment from noon until 4 p.m. with a kids play zone, bouncy castles, face painting, and craft stations."

Neuschwander explains they're also having a barbecue fundraiser for the Parks Committee from noon to 4 p.m.

"Big Brothers Big Sisters is doing their Duck Race again at Splash Island," adds Neuschwander. "There's public swimming throughout the afternoon and then fireworks at dusk. They're doing it on the causeway, so there will be some accompanying road closures with that to look out for closer to the evening."

She says it should be a great show for all to enjoy.