Ontario 150: A Place to Celebrate

Ontario 150: A Place to Celebrate

In 1867, three provinces including the Province of Canada (which would later be Ontario and Quebec) formed into a Dominion of Canada.  Over the last 150 years Canada has grown and flourished and so has its provinces.

Ontario has a rich history and, like Canada, is also celebrating it’s sesquicentennial. 2017 will be an exciting year where Ontarians will have numerous opportunities to come together and celebrate. In the course of the year, we will be recognizing and celebrating the qualities and values that define our province with a range of events and initiatives across Ontario.

The numbers are staggering. The government is supporting nearly 700 initiatives through the Ontario150 program, including more than 350 Ontario150-supported Community Celebrations, 87 Partnership Programs to engage youth, over 200 Community Capital projects, six stops of the innovative SESQUI dome tour and 24 Signature Initiatives, including the Invictus Games, the Lieutenant Governor’s Visionary Prize and the Ottawa 2017 celebrations.

Tourism is a key economic driver, contributing $28.5 billion dollars to the provincial economy and local communities. Ontario is also the largest travel destination in Canada, receiving 40% of all visitors to Canada and 34% of the country’s total visitor spending in 2014.

Many Ontario attractions are taking part in the celebrations. See below for an event near you:

GTA:

Attraction: The Second City Theatre presents Canada: The Thinking Man’s America, Toronto
Date: Every Monday night starting May 1st until October 2017 at 8pm
Description: We’ve combed through The Second City archives for sketches created and performed by Canada’s greatest comedic talents, and from every generation of Canadian comedy icons. Plus, you’ll see scenes that poke fun at Canadian clichés and make us look really good compared to our southern neighbours.

Attraction: Canada’s Wonderland, Vaughan
Date: Saturday July 1st – Monday July 31^st, Celebration Canada Events from 12pm-8pm
Description: Come celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday with an exciting month-long celebration! Enjoy all-new Canadian-themed live entertainment, special events, traditional Canadian food, and much more! Celebration Canada events are included with Park Admission.

Southwestern Ontario:

Attraction: Port Stanley Theatre, Port Stanley
Date: May 19 to June 4, 2017, Exhibition open during regular theatre performance hours.
Description: “Oh Canada, We Sing For Thee!” Exhibition & Show. A celebration of Canadian talent, with music from Stan Rogers to Anne Murray, from Gordon Lightfoot to BTO, and Michael Buble to the Guess Who, “Oh Canada, We Sing for Thee” brings a non-stop parade of hits to the Port Stanley Festival stage

Attraction: Bingemans, Kitchener
Date: July 1, 2017
Description: Canada Day Fireworks! Celebrate Canada’s 150th at Bingemans International Square (behind Boston Pizza) and watch FREE FIREWORKS at dusk!

Georgian Bay/Muskoka:

Attraction: Baggataway Lacrosse Festival at Sainte-Marie Among the Hurons, Midland
Date: June 24-25, 2017
Description: Experience the traditions and skills of Canada’s national summer spor as part of the Ontario 150 celebrations.The site will come alive with Canada’s Historic Game during the two day event.  Visit the site of one of the first recorded accounts of the Indigeneous game and try your hand at skills competitions.

Eastern Ontario:

Attraction: The Haunted Walk Experience at Upper Canada Village, Morrisburg
Date: July 15 & 29, August 5, 12, 29, 26
Description: Guides from The Haunted Walk will lead you through the darkened pioneer village, sharing chilling tales about Ontario’s darker history and the ghosts that may still linger in some of the buildings on-site today. This unique opportunity to see Upper Canada Village after the lights go out will only be available on select days this summer (75-90 minutes).
Attraction: Canadian Museum of History, Ottawa
Date: July 1, 2017
Description: Explore Canada’s history through the diverse experiences and perspectives of the real people who lived it. Discover our collective story of conflict, struggle and loss, as well as success, achievement and hope. Our new signature exhibition, the Canadian History Hall, illuminates the enduring legacy of Canada’s past — a legacy that is alive, relevant and continually unfolding.

Niagara Region:

Attraction: Niagara Falls History Museum, Niagara Falls
Date: May 20 – December 31, 2017
Description: 150 Objects – 150 Stories. We reached out into the community, and they responded.  Over 140 artefacts have been loaned to the Museum for this exhibition. Community members have provided their artefacts and their idea on what makes it an important story about Canada’s past.

Attraction: Oh Canada, Eh? Dinner Theatre, Niagara Falls

Date: Saturday, July 1, 2017 at 6:30PM
Description: Join us for an all-Canadian birthday bash as Canada turns 150. Spend Canada Day with our singing Mountie, Hockey Player, Anne of Green Gables, Klondike Kitty and more. While you’re enjoying the show, our performers serve our famous all-Canadian, family-style meal.

Northern Ontario:

Attraction: Stars and Thunder, Timmins International Fireworks Competition and Music Festival
Date: June 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 30 & July 1, Gates open 12 noon daily until 1 a.m.
Description: Timmins is very excited for what promises to be one of the biggest festivals across the country, celebrating Canada’s 150th birthday!  June 24th – July 1st, Stars and Thunder will bring a spectacular lineup leading up to the performance of one of country’s biggest icons, Keith Urban!

Attraction: Fort William Historical Park, Thunder Bay
Date: July 1, 2017 at 10am – 5pm
Description: Celebrating Canada’s 150th birthday with games and activities focussed on the history of Canada, the contributions of the fur trade along with local entertainment, canoeing, musket firing, visit the farm animals, and much more. This special day will culminate in a day time fireworks display to celebrate Canada’s 150th.

For a fuller understanding of all the events and initiatives in your community and across the province, please visit attractionsontario.ca/ontario150 and www.ontario.ca/page/ontario150.