The University of Waterloo and its Federation of Students are bringing the region’s favourite community party back to Columbia Lake Fields.
WATERLOO, Ont. (Wednesday, June 27, 2012) – The University of Waterloo and its Federation of Students are bringing the region’s favourite community party back to Columbia Lake Fields this Canada Day.
The always popular Canada Day Celebrations organized by the University of Waterloo and its Federation of Students promise to be bigger than ever. This year marks the 145th anniversary of Confederation.
Thousands of local residents are expected to join the university community on Sunday, July 1, at the Columbia Lake Fields on Columbia Street West.
“If it’s a nice, sunny day, hopefully we will get 60,000 to 70,000 people,” said Tessy George, administrative co-ordinator of the Canada Day Celebrations and a second-year student in health studies.
“I’m really excited for the evening, when it starts filling up. People should get there early, though — you’ll want a good spot for the fireworks.”
It’s the 28th year that students have organized the massive celebration. Dedicated student volunteers have worked hard to ensure that this year’s event delivers an expanded line-up of free, family-friendly programming.
Running from 2 to 10:30 p.m., the schedule includes:
• Main stage performances from 2 to 10 p.m., including pop multi-instrumentalist Nate Hall (6:15 p.m.), five-piece rock band Chalkboard Menu (7:15 p.m.), R&B singer Rufus (8:15 p.m.), and singer-songwriter Scotty James (9:15 p.m.).
• Children’s stage performances from 2 to 7 p.m., including hip hop performances, storytelling, martial arts, music and more.
• Mini-Olympics, a Fun Fest, face painting and Activity World for children of all ages.
• Tours of Brubacher House, one of two remaining original buildings at the University of Waterloo, and a kite-flying display by the Wind Climbers Kite Club.
• A great array of arts and crafts vendors, and a tantalizing food fair that includes the Canada Day Celebrations food tent, raising money for the fireworks display.
• Canada’s birthday cake! The official opening ceremony will be held at 6 p.m., and 1,000 cupcakes will be given out.
• And of course, fireworks at 10 p.m.
There is no entry fee, and all performers are volunteering their time and talents. That means all performances and almost all activities are free to the public.
Parking is also free for the day of the event at all university parking lots, and accessible parking is available at OpenText on Frank Tompa Drive. Grand River Transit bus routes 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, and 29 all service the main University of Waterloo campus, as do the 200 and 201 iXpress routes.
The University of Waterloo Canada Day Celebrations are supported by many local businesses and organizations. Key sponsors are the Department of Canadian Heritage, City of Waterloo, KIX 106.7 FM, Waterloo Region Record, United Rentals, OpenText, Waterloo Printing, J.M. Schneider Foods, 570 News, Domino’s Pizza, CHYM FM, Sherwood Systems Inc. and Waterloo Regional REACT.
For more information and a full schedule of events, visit www.canadaday.uwaterloo.ca.
About the University of Waterloo
In just half a century, the University of Waterloo, located at the heart of Canada's technology hub, has become one of Canada's leading comprehensive universities with 34,000 full- and part-time students in undergraduate and graduate programs. Waterloo, as home to the world's largest post-secondary co-operative education program, embraces its connections to the world and encourages enterprising partnerships in learning, research and discovery. In the next decade, the university is committed to building a better future for Canada and the world by championing innovation and collaboration to create solutions relevant to the needs of today and tomorrow. For more information about Waterloo, please visit www.uwaterloo.ca.
Media Contacts:
Tessy George
Administrative Coordinator
University of Waterloo Canada Day Celebrations
519.888.4567 ext. 33981
canadaday@uwaterloo.ca
Stacey Ash
Communications Officer
Communications & Public Affairs
University of Waterloo
519.888.4567 ext. 35719
sn2ash@uwaterloo.ca
Waterloo news release no. 55
