Adam Knapp Band will perform at the Lions Beach on Canada Day. Photo Credit: Bob Reddick
Westport Lions Roar
By Lion Bob Reddick
On a hot sunny afternoon, there is no better place to be than at the Westport Lions beach. On Canada Day, it’s an enjoyable and exciting place to be for people of all ages. Lion organizers Marty Hawkins and Peter Minnelli have planned activities that will run from noon to 5:00 p.m., emphasizing fun for the entire family.
Starting at noon, there will be continuous music provided by the Adam Knapp Band and disc jockey Tom Gard. Beach toys will be provided, and hopefully the weather will be nice so young people can enjoy the club’s sandy beach. Don’t forget to bring a chair and plenty of sunscreen! Artist Jessica McTavish of Pixie Pie Face Painting and Victor Limbeek, known as the Bubble Guy, will delight young people throughout the afternoon. Victor can produce either one giant bubble, about three feet in diameter and sometimes reaching 10 to 20 feet in length, or 100 smaller, two-inch bubbles. “The young people want to burst the bubbles,” says Victor, “but the parents and grandparents just want to watch them.”
To satisfy the hungry crowd, there will be free hot dogs, freezies and drinks donated by Ragu and Raman Sharma of Circle K.
All activities at the beach are free due to our generous sponsors, Jim Archambault of Rideau Valley Hearth & Home, Lynn Brothers Construction, Bob O’Connell Cut & Trim and Matt Madden Tree Service. You should use the free bus shuttle that will operate all afternoon because parking at the beach is limited.
This is the fourth year Lion Peter Minnelli has organized the Canada Day Children’s Drawing Contest for children ages 6 to 12. This year’s theme is Why is Canada Such a Special Place? Last year, the contest received over 100 entries. The top two entries in each age category will be announced at 1:00 p.m. and will receive ice cream prizes courtesy of Vanilla Bean’s Café and Creamery.
The winning ticket for The Westport Lions $1,500 Cash Draw will take place at the beach at 3:00 p.m. Second prize is $500, with three additional prizes of $50 each. This year’s draw is sponsored by Rosebush Energies. Tickets will be available before the draw at $10 each or 3 for $20.
The Canada Day organizing committee, under the direction of Cait Maloney, has had regular meetings all year to organize Canada’s 159th birthday on Wednesday, July 1. Multiple activities have been planned throughout the day: a BBQ breakfast, WAC chairs, Senior of the Year award, Kids’ Parade, Touch a Truck, bingo at the Legion, activities at the Lions beach all afternoon, helicopter tours, live music throughout the town and of course the amazing fireworks at dusk. Come out and celebrate! Wear your red and white! Together, let’s show our pride!