Beaver Staff
Unable to celebrate Canada Day in traditional fashion due to COVID-19, the municipalities of Greater Napanee, Deseronto, Stone Mills and Tyendinaga are joining forces to celebrate virtually.
Titled “Canada Day 2020 – Communities Connected”, the celebrations will be comprised of free, fun family activities that can be participated in online or from the comfort of home.
Hosted on Facebook, each municipality will post free activities and games. The Facebook event will serve as an online platform for the communities to interact, share photos and participate in activities put forth by the four municipalities. The goal is to create a sense of togetherness during this unprecedented time when friends and family are not able to be together.
“We are overjoyed to be collaborating with our fellow communities for our 2020 Canada Day celebrations,” said Kelsey Pearson, community programming clerk for the Town of Greater Napanee. “This symbol of unity during a time of great separation will strengthen the communal bond within our regions. We would also like to thank the Napanee Valley Cruisers for their continued support and partnership with the town on past Canada Day events. We are saddened that, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Cruisers cannot hold its annual ‘Show N’ Shine’ this year. This activity is always a family-favourite at our Canada Day celebration and will be missed. We look forward to working with them again, but are also eager to work with Tyendinaga, Deseronto and Stone Mills on what will be a great event across the board.”
Annie Manion, social director for Tyendinaga Township, agrees with this collaborative, creative approach to the Canada Day celebrations. “Tyendinaga Township is very excited to be able to partner with our neighbouring municipalities in order to create a fun filled day for all to enjoy,” said Manion. “We encourage residents of all participating municipalities to submit entries to our online event and tune in throughout the day to celebrate our beautiful nation and show off our community spirit.” The Town of Deseronto is happy to be on board to share its safe, fun, family-friendly activities with others outside of its borders.
“This wonderful collaboration will enhance the virtual Canada Day events that the Deseronto Culture and Recreation Committee has been preparing for Canada Day,” said Patrick Connor, communication and community program coordinator for the Town of Deseronto.
The Township of Stone Mills, like Greater Napanee, Tyendinaga and Deseronto, have had to cancel their regular outdoor Canada Day events due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Joining its fellow municipalities allows them to host some fun interactive activities for its community as well.
All four municipalities will be posting fun ‘teasers’ throughout the month of June via the Facebook event that the public will be able to participate in on Canada Day. Residents from one community to the next are encouraged to celebrate as a group from the comfort and safety of their own homes. Although participants will be apart, sharing stories, pictures and encouragement online will showcase true Canadian spirit when it is needed the most. The community is encouraged to use the hashtag #KeepingItCanadian on all posts they share via the Facebook event, to show unity and connection while maintaining social distance. The “Canada Day 2020 – Communities Connected” Canada Day Facebook event can be found by visiting each municipality’s social media pages and/or websites.