For the first time in two years, organizers are preparing for in -person Canada Day celebrations to return to Riverside Park in Kamloops.

Ray Dhaliwal of the Kamloops Multicultural Society says with high-water on the Thompson River and construction in the park, they’ll be tighter for space this year.

“We’ve had to revamp our whole schedule,” he said. “Being away from it for two years, it was a bit of a challenge but we’re working our way through it.”

“Since we have a smaller footprint this year, it will be a little challenging as far as space goes, but it’ll all go well. It’ll run without a hitch this year.”

Speaking on NL Newsday, Dhaliwal says the pancake breakfast, international food fair, and beer garden are being moved closer to the Sandman Centre due to the space constraints.

“The pancake breakfast which begins at 7 o’clock with our Brock Lions will be on the east side of the park, closest to Sandman Centre in that parking lot where the arts council usually had their celebration,” he said. “That will begin at 7, and the beer garden will start there after the pancake breakfast.”

Last month, the City of Kamloops announced that fireworks will not be part of the Canada Day festivities this year, because of concerns about fires.

“It was one of those decisions was that was easy to make and not so easy to make,” Events Supervisor Sean Smith, said. “We know that people love fireworks, but its not worth the risk to the community and public and property and the land in and around the downtown area.”

Dhaliwal says they’re looking to potentially replace that firework show with a laser or drone light-show for next year.

New this year will be a 50/50 draw with proceeds going to the Kamloops Multicultural Society.

“Tickets are available from any of our members at the Kamloops Multicultural Society, or you can pick it up at Ray’s and Brown’s Locksmith,” he said. “I believe Harvest by Nandi’s has it as well as the Kamloops Immigrant Services.

“As well, we will be selling them on the day of in our Kamloops Multicultural tent. The draw date, I believe, is July the 11.”

Community Events Coordinator, Dewi Evans, says the City of Kamloops is also working with Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc to ensure that Canada’s true history is incorporated into the Canada Day Festivities.

“We also recognize that Canada Day is forever changed with the confirmation of Le Estcwicwéy̓ (The Missing),” Evans said in April.

In June last year, Tk’emlups te Secwepemc Kukpi7 Rosanne Casimir said she wanted Canadians to continue to acknowledge Canada Day, calling it the best way to honour the diversity of people who live in the country..

“In particular…[for] our future generations, [it is important] to understand our real collective history,” Casimir said, three weeks after Tk’emlups announced the discovery of the remains of 215 children at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School in May 2021.

“For TteS, we would like to encourage all to learn more about the colonial legacy of the residential school and the intergenerational impacts that it has had.”

You’ll find more details about the Canada Day festivities this year, here.

Music in the Park lineup announced

Also back this year is Music in the Park which will take over the Rotary Bandshell at Riverside Park from July 1 until August 31.

Sabrina Weeks, Richard Graham and the Blackbeats, and Shattered Blue will kick things off with a Canada Day performance this Friday. The “signature summer classic” which has been around in Kamloops since 1994 will feature a variety of blues, rock, classics, country, tribute bands, and other artists.

“We’re so happy to have it back in Riverside Park this summer,” Events Supervisor Sean Smith said in May. “The wide variety of music is what makes this event a success.”

Concerts get underway at 7 p.m. each night, and run until about 8:30 p.m., weather and air quality permitting.

“Cancellation of a show is at the discretion of the evening performer,” the City said Tuesday, noting the schedule is subject to change without notice.

The 2020 edition of Music in the Park was cancelled due to COVID-19, while the already shortened 2021 edition was shortened even further because of increased public health measures.

Ribfest, another staple of the Kamloops summer is also going ahead on Aug. 5, 6, and 7 after two straight years of COVID-19 related cancellations in 2020 and 2021. It will feature a Bryan Adams Tribute ban on Aug. 5, an AC/DC Tribute Band on Aug. 6, and a Fleetwood Mac Tribute Ban on Aug. 7.

For a full list of Music in the Park performers, go here.

– With files from Paul James and Brett Mineer