Thanksgiving day in Canada is on October 10, 2016.

Thanksgiving Day in Canada has been a holiday on the second Monday of October since 1957. It is a chance for people to give thanks for a good harvest and other fortunes in the past year.

Many people have a day off work on the second Monday of October. They often use the three-day Thanksgiving weekend to visit family or friends who live far away, or to receive them in their own homes.

Many people also prepare a special meal to eat at some point during the long weekend. Traditionally, this included roast turkey and seasonal produce, such as pumpkin, corn ears and pecan nuts. Now, the meal may consist of other foods, particularly if the family is of non-European descent.

The native peoples of the Americas held ceremonies and festivals to celebrate the completion and bounty of the harvest long before European explorers and settlers arrived in what is now Canada. Early European thanksgivings were held to give thanks for some special fortune. An early example is the ceremony the explorer Martin Frobisher held in 1578 after he had survived the long journey in his quest to find a northern passage from Europe to Asia.

From the end of the First World War until 1930, both Armistice Day and Thanksgiving Day were celebrated on the Monday closest to November 11, the anniversary of the official end of hostilities in World War I. In 1931, Armistice Day was renamed Remembrance Day and Thanksgiving Day was moved to a Monday in October. Since 1957, Thanksgiving Day has always been held on the second Monday in October.

Thanksgiving Day in Canada is linked to the European tradition of harvest festivals. A common image seen at this time of year is a cornucopia, or horn, filled with seasonal fruit and vegetables. The cornucopia, which means “Horn of Plenty” in Latin, was a symbol of bounty and plenty in ancient Greece. Turkeys, pumpkins, ears of corn and large displays of food are also used to symbolize Thanksgiving Day. Other popular activities include outdoor breaks to admire the spectacular colors of the Canadian autumn, hiking, and fishing.

Perth’s Canada Day Celebrations
Celebrate the country’s birthday at Conlon Farm. Children’s activities throughout the day and a barbecue. Fireworks after dusk.
Info: 1-855-326-1947

1st Annual Perth Paddle-Fest

People-powered boats depart from Perth Outfitters (21 Craig St.) at 11 a.m. Flotilla gathers in the Basin at 11:30, then heads back to Perth Outfitters to eat and play! Noon to 3 p.m.: judging of boat categories, races, paddle poker run, games, displays, kids’ crafts, live music and more! Canoe display all week at Crystal Palace.

Info: http://perthoutfitters.com/

Lanark Highlands’ Canada Day Celebrations
Visit the Clyde Memorial Ball Park in Lanark Village and take part in the Canada Day celebrations.
Info: 613-259-2398

Canada Day Celebration – Fallbrook Community Association
At the Fallbrook baseball field. Family activities and fireworks!
Info: 613-264-8728 or www.tayvalleytwp.ca or find Fallbrook Community Association on Facebook

Canada Day Events – Heritage Mica Days
Join in the fun at Murphys Point Provincial Park
Info: 613-267-5340 or http://www.heritagemicadays.ca/

Join us to celebrate Canada’s birthday on the main beach of Murphys Point Provincial Park. Enjoy a hot dog and some
Canada Day cake. The Richmond Ramblers Bluegrass Band will provide entertainment under the tent.  Story readings for ages 6 and under and face painting for all ages round out the day. Complimentary ice cream coupons available to anyone who dresses in red and white or in heritage costume (how about a heritage bathing suit?).  Dogs are not permitted in the beach area. The site is wheelchair accessible. Small fee charged for the hot dogs and donations welcomed for the face painting.

A valid Ontario Parks vehicle day use pass, seasonal pass or camping permit is required for park entry. Your park entry permit can be purchased at the main park gate.

The Richmond Ramblers Bluegrass Band is a group of 8 musicians playing predominantly bluegrass music with a mix of classic country. The talent in the group is steeped with years of musical experience including a formally trained and award winning fiddler. Instrumentation includes fiddle, bass fiddle, banjo, mandolin, guitar, mouth harp, lead male vocal, and harmonies.

Festivities start at 10:00 AM.

http://www.heritagemicadays.ca/

July 1 – Great Canadian History Quiz- On Canada’s Birthday, we challenge your Canadian history trivia and your knowledge of Queen Elizabeth as we celebrate her Diamond Jubilee. Receive a free gift. 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., admission fee applies. Open daily, Heritage House Museum, Call 613-283-6311  for information.

Come check out the Canada Day Festivities in Smiths Falls at Centennial Park: Vendors, entertainment & food booths!
Fireworks will be at Lower Reach Park.

For further information, please visit: www.smithsfalls.ca

Celebrations commence in Riverside Park and include lots of children’s activities and entertainment for all ages. The day is topped off with the best fireworks in Lanark County, if not the Valley!

For further information, please visit: www.carletonplace.ca or contact: 613-257-1704

Join us in Mississippi Mills on June 30th for our Canada Day Eve Festivities. Celebrate Canada Day in Pakenham on June 30th, 2014. So much fun for the whole family, don’t miss out!

5-7 BBQ at RBC Pakenham

6-7 pm kids activities at Stewart Park (Face painting, bouncy castle, balloons)

Local entertainment coordinated by Mike Ryan immediately after the show. Contact the Mississippi Mills Recreation and Culture department after if you want to join the parade, be part of the show or have questions. 613-256-1077 (Yummy crepes available on site!)

DUSK – Our legendary fireworks display (10-13 minutes)

For more information, contact the Recreation & Culture Department at 613-256-1077, or email mminfo@mississippimills.ca

www.exploremississippimills.ca

On Tuesday, July 1st, 2014 Come CELEBRATE CANADA DAY at Conlon Farm! The fun begins with a BBQ special at the Chalet. Join the Kiwanis Club of Perth members for their Classic Kids’ Games on the Soccer Fields at 5pm, followed by music on the main stage starting at 7pm. FREE Canada Day cake will be served mid-evening, and a spectacular fireworks display will end things on a high note, it starts at 10pm sharp. Come early to save your spot on the hill for the show! Call 1-855-326-1947 or email kfox@perth.ca for more information.

Come celebrate the 143rd anniversary of Confederation on Thursday, July 1st at Conlon Farm Recreation Complex in Perth! The fun begins at 4pm with registration for the Classic Kids’ Games sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Perth, at the soccer fields. Games include kite flying (bring your own or we can supply one for you); bicycle parade (prize for best decorated bike for youth); foot races; egg toss; shoe toss and ribbons for the winners. Council will host their annual BBQ Special from 5-8pm outside the Chalet. You can purchase a hotdog and drink for only $2, or a hamburger and a drink for only $4.

Music starts at the mainstage at 6:30 with our special guest MC, Brian Perkin of LAKE 88.1 FM. The evening musical line-up includes: Christine Graves (contemporary/roots); Along the Lines (road music); Beautiful Inferno (alternative rock) and Tell Mama (jazz/blues/folk & funk). Serving of Free Canada Day Cake will be announced from the stage at approximately 8:15pm. At 9:40pm the Town Crier will make his annual Canada Day Proclamation, following by remarks on behalf of Council by Deputy Mayor John Gemmill. Joel LeBlanc will then lead the crowd in singing the National Anthem, and fireworks will follow at 10pm sharp.

Come early and get your spot on the hill for great viewing of the fireworks! Thanks to all our sponsors and volunteers who work so hard to make this a great fun-filled, family event each year, including: the Kiwanis Club of Perth, Joel LeBlanc, Barnabe’s Your Independent Grocer, Jade Transportation, the Department of Canadian Heritage and the Perth Volunteer Fire Fighters’ Association.

Conlon Farm Recreation Complex is located  at the junction of Conlon and Smith Drive in the Town of Perth.