Black Diamond may be small, but the Town’s plans to celebrate the nation’s birthday are bigger than ever.
Musicians, First Nations dancers, fireworks and children’s activities are expected to draw hundreds of people to the Town’s municipal building parking lot July 1 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
“We are all proud of being Canadian and we have to remember how lucky we are to be Canadian,” said David Petrovich, the Town’s economic development and events coordinator. “It’s a morale boost for locals. It just reminds them that we’re a community that’s part of the greater community of the Diamond Valley area.”
Entertainment will include performances by Absolute Zero at 1:15 p.m., the Wandering Spirit Awareness Native Dancers at 2:15 and local rock band Puttin’ on the Foil at 3:15 p.m.
Youngsters will be entertained throughout the afternoon with a bouncy house, face painting, balloon artist and an appearance by a Disney character, said Petrovich.
“We change the bands a little bit, but we always have the bouncy castle and the face painter has been really popular,” he said. “The balloon artist is new this year, as well as having a Disney character.”
Across the street, the Black Diamond Gospel Chapel will add to the day’s fun with a variety of old-fashioned carnival games.
Trish Bateman, event organizer and head of the women’s ministry, said people can purchase tickets to participate in games such as a bean bag toss, duck pond and ball tosses for the opportunity to win prizes.
“I have wanted a carnival for a couple of years,” she said. “We decided this is the best day because Black Diamond has the music festival but not a lot of kids’ stuff. We decided it would complement them.”
Members of the church will also sell hot dogs, popcorn and cotton candy throughout the afternoon, said Bateman.
“It’s just an outreach to the community,” she said. “The more we outreach the more people that are likely to question what we are about and why we believe what we believe.”
For the first time in three years, the Canada Day festivities will end with a fireworks display.
The fireworks were cancelled in 2013 due to the Town’s water restrictions following the spring flood that destroyed Black Diamond’s water treatment plant and in 2014 due to continued water restrictions and a fire ban.
Petrovich said the Town has accumulated $10,000 over those years and those planning to take in the show at dusk won’t be disappointed.
“It’s along the lines of our parade,” he said. “We have one of the biggest small town parades and we like to show our stripes and go big when we can. Fireworks always give you an emotional high.
“We do it as a thank you to Canada. We are proud to be part of it. By going with good fireworks there’s an added surge of pride.”
Petrovich said the Town hires a professional each year to put on the fireworks display.
“We do take pride and we do like to do a good job,” he said. “That’s the way we do everything.”
For more details about Celebrate Canada Day Diamond Valley Style go to visitblackdiamond.ca
