July is quite the happening month for family-friendly activities in Thunder Bay. Here’s what you need to know about all the #Canada150 events in the city, plus other activities for the rest of July too. And if your days don’t synch up with these scheduled events, take a look at these free things to do with kids pretty much anytime. Have fun!
June 30-July 2 Heartbeat of our Nation Powwow, Fort William First Nation
Celebrate Ojibwe culture with three days of great traditional food, music and dance at Mount McKay (Anemki Wajiw).
More info Fort William First Nation on Facebook
July 1
Canada Day, Fort William Historical Park
Take your pick: try your hand at Canadian contests like hockey shots and log sawing; canoe down the Kam; colour a giant wall mural; check out the science stations and farm activities; chill out with live music and even (bonus for the little kids!) watch a daytime fireworks and coloured smoke show. Open 10am-5pm.
More info www.fwhp.ca
July 1
Canada Day 150 Party, West Thunder Community Centre
Westfort is going all out with bouncy castles, Zorba ball races, horse and pony rides, face-painting, live music, crafts, games, an antique car show and more, running from 11am-5pm. Free admission.
More info West Thunder Community Centre on Facebook
July 1
Canada Day on the Waterfront, Marina Park
Starting at 5pm, dance to some live tunes on two stages, discover “maker” science with 3D printers and laser cutters at the Power of Ideas site, learn all about space and astronauts with Science North, play some Métis games, watch magic tricks and stop by the Teaching Lodge at the Spirit Garden. A massive fireworks display ends the day with a bang at 11pm. Free admission.
More info www.thunderbay.ca
July 1-7
Historical Hysterical Scavenger Hunt, Thunder Bay Museum
Enlist your in-house social media expert, bring your smartphone and embark on a cool scavenger hunt around town. Solve clues to find historical buildings, decode puzzles on Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat and take funny selfies for your chance to win lots of local prizes. Free.
More info Thunder Bay Museum on Facebook
July 11
Teddy Bears Picnic, Vickers Park
Perfect for the littles, this annual event offers free crafts, activities, entertainment, a teddy bear parade and a boo boo station to give first aid to stuffies. 12-4pm.
More info www.thunderbay.ca
July 12, 19, 26
Live on the Waterfront, Marina Park
Now that’s a memorable family dinner: Take a blanket and a picnic and enjoy some free live music by talented Canadian artists on the waterfront from 6-9pm.
More info www.thunderbay.ca
July 14
Under the Same Stars, North McIntyre Rec Centre
Learn more about the stars, planets and universe in Science North’s portable planetarium. Free admission, runs from 10:30am-3:30pm.
More info North McIntyre Rec Centre on Facebook
July 15
Festival of India, Marina Park
Take a trip across the world without leaving home with a visit to the Festival of India. On the lineup: Traditional Indian music and dancing, info panels about Indian culture, a chariot parade, yoga, a cricket demo and kids’ activities. Runs 3-8pm, free admission including a vegetarian feast.
More info www.indiafesttbay.com
July 15 Family Day, Founders' Museum and Pioneer Village For some old-timey family fun, head to Oliver Paipoonge to the Founders' Museum and Pioneer Village for activities like nail-driving, log-sawing and horseshoes. Tour around the reproduction stores, newspaper office, school, blacksmith shop and homes too. Free, runs 12:30-4pm.
More info Founders' Museum and Pioneer Village on Facebook
July 20-23
Karnival on the Kam, Fort William Historical Park
Wait, what—Canada’s largest fireworks show? Fort William Historical Park is going over-the-top with a four-day carnival with everything from ski stunt shows, human cannonballs, a circus, skydiving stunts and lumberjack shows to chainsaw jugglers, flyboard rides on the Kam and trapeze and highwire acts. Runs 12pm-12 am.
More info www.fwhp.ca
July 21
Healthy Parks, Healthy People, Ontario Parks
Ontario Parks is waiving the admission fee on July 21. Visit Kakabeka Falls or Sleeping Giant to swim, hike, bike and see what they’ve got planned for kids’ programming.
More info www.ontarioparks.ca
July 22
Celebrating 60 Years, Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park
Kakabeka Falls is having a birthday! Activities include live music, a guided walk around the falls and kids’ events, followed by star-gazing hosted by the Royal Astronomical Society.
More info Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park on Facebook
July 22
Monster Slide, Mount Baldy Ski Area
A thousand feet of wet, sudsy, sliding craziness…free to watch, fee to participate. You can also kick back and relax with food, music and more. 11am-6pm.
More info www.monsterslide.ca
July 23
Hazelwood Family Fun Day, Hazelwood Lake Conservation Area
Lots of out-of-the-ordinary stuff to investigate here, like a demo by the MNRF canine unit, a falconry demo and drone displays. You can also try out canoes, kayaks and SUPs, take a guided hike and check out interactive displays and workshops about natural history, fire prevention and bear safety. Free admission, 10am-3pm.
More info www.lakeheadca.com
July 24-28
SESQUI Cinematic Dome Tour, Intercity Shopping Centre
A 360-degree movie in a pop-up dome is a cool way to celebrate Canada! The film is 22 minutes long, has super-high resolution with nine projectors, and features lots of our country’s spectacular landscapes and people. Free admission, Monday to Thursday, 12pm-10pm, Friday 10am-7:30pm.
More info www.sesqui.ca
July 29-30
5th Annual Buskers Festival, Bay & Algoma
Two days, 40 performers, 10 stages… fun events in a fun neighbourhood! Kids will love to see the antics of the buskers, plus there are craft and food vendors and a pancake breakfast.
More info www.bayalgoma.com
Don’t miss out on the fun! Like us on Facebook to see posts from TBaywithkids.ca throughout the month.