The community of Sidney held its pre-Canada Day celebrations yesterday at its Community Centre grounds. 

"It's just a coming together of the town of Sidney and surrounding area," says Pearl Wieler, Sidney Community Centre president. "There's a lot of people that came from Austin or different places. We have people here from Winkler. We usually do it the Sunday before Canada Day, so if people want to go to Austin's celebration then it works to do both."

Wieler says they had over twice the usual funds for fireworks this year to really show their national pride. She explains the RM of North Norfolk presented them with $500 for their show seeing as it's Canada's 150th birthday, along with $100 from the Stride Credit Union, giving over $2,500 in total.

The community sold raffle tickets to help with the funding for the event, and kids enjoyed a bouncing castle provided by Heartland Recreation Commission.