MANITOULIN—Our nation will be 158 years young this July 1 and there are plenty of reasons to celebrate living in what is truly one of the greatest nations on Earth. Thankfully, Manitoulin communities have a wonderful lineup of events to take part in.
Gore Bay Royal Canadian Legion is hosting a pancake breakfast from 9 am to 12 pm on July 1 at Branch 514. Western Manitoulin Lions Club is hosting a free barbecue at the Harbourview Pavilion at 12 pm and Guardians of the Children are hosting a Pie-in-the-Face from 12 pm to 2 pm, also at the pavilion. The Gore Bay Spirit and Event Group are hosting games of all ages from 12 pm to 3 pm. Topping off the day will be fireworks (weather permitting) courtesy of the Gore Bay Fire Department.
Assiginack’s events are taking place at the arena and fairgrounds. A best decorated bicycle parade starts with registration at the pavilion at 11 am and the parade sets out at 11:30 am. From 12 pm there will be free hot dogs, courtesy of the Assiginack Fire Department, accompanied by a huge assortment of fun activities including bouncy castles and games for all ages. At 2 pm, there will be a movie (The Day the Earth Blew Up) complete with popcorn, and a scavenger hunt talks place from 11 am to 2 pm, pick up your forms at the town office and register at the pavilion (scores of 8/10 or better go into a prize draw)—and best of all, it’s all free!
Central Manitoulin will be hosting several events in Providence Bay on July 1, starting at 2 pm. From 2 pm to 5 pm it’s face painting, from 2 pm to 4 pm it’s kids’ games on the beach, from 2 pm to 5 pm there’s DJ music on the patio, from 5 pm to 6 pm there is storytelling with Naomi, from 5 pm to 7 pm it’s cake and lemonade at the hall and from 5 pm to 7 pm followed by live music (Saving Grace, celebrating Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers) until 10 pm. At 10:15 pm, fireworks are scheduled to take place. Of course there are also a host of events that are part of Central Manitoulin Lions Club Homecoming Weekend and Ribfest taking place in Mindemoya, starting Friday June 27 and running through to Monday, June 30. Note, the annual Mindemoya Classic swim, cycle and paddle triathalon, sponsored by Breakaway Sport and Cycle, takes place Sunday, June 29 with a 9 am start time at the Government Docks in Mindemoya.
South Baymouth kicks things off with the annual giant yard sale, parade, the John Budd Park United Church fish fry and fireworks at the marina being just some of the things taking place on Saturday, June 28. Okay, that’s hitting the ground early, we admit, but thanks to the South Shore Firefighters Association, the Little Schoolhouse Museum, St. Andrews by the Sea and a host of volunteers the South Baymouth celebrations are something not to be missed.
Downtown Little Current will celebrate on July 1 and the downtown street will be closed, with vendors, live music, the Junk in the Trunk community yard sale, plenty of kids’ activities taking place, and yes, there will be cupcakes. Festivities begin at 11 am and continue until 4 pm and include a Best Dressed Canadian contest sponsored by The Expositor. As has been the custom, O Canada will be sung in both English and Anishinabemowin at noon. Manitoulin Centennial Manor annual barbecue, yard and bake sale will also be a happening spot. The yard sale starts at 8 am and the barbecue at 11 am. The annual 5k run—U16, Open and Masters (+50) and the 1k kids run starts and ends at Low Island, with registration taking place at 8:30 am in-person. Sponsored by Breakaway Sports and Cycle, there will be lots of awards and draws to be won. You can register early online at breakawaymanitoulinevents.ca/2025-events.
The Ice Lake annual Canada Day Community Picnic takes place at 274 Pleasant Valley Road, and it promises to be truly pleasant, starting with a pot luck lunch at noon (bring your own plates and cutlery) and followed by an auction, kids’ games and concession stands. The volunteer firefighters and Ice Lake Picnic Grounds are offering up a real “old fashioned” country picnic where you can meet up with old friends and perhaps make a few new ones.
Island First Nations communities do not celebrate Canada Day, observing instead National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21.
