Canada Day During A Pandemic

Canada Day will look much different this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Most municipalities have cancelled their activities, but there are still ways to celebrate Canada’s 153rd birthday.

Saint John residents are encouraged to dress in red and white, decorate their homes and share the photos on social media using the #MySaintJohn and #CanadaDay2020 hashtags.

Rothesay is holding a virtual Canada Day celebration starting at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. It will feature a message from Mayor Nancy Grant and musical performances by Alison Campbell and Brian Baker.

Grand Bay-Westfield is encouraging residents to submit photos or videos to their virtual celebration album for a chance to win one of 40, $50 gift cards to local businesses. Submissions for the album and draw entries will be accepted until 5 p.m. Friday.

Saint Andrews is holding a special Canada Day Farmers Market from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

St. Stephen, St. George, Quispamsis, Hampton and Sussex, among other places, decided not to hold events this year.

Premier’s Canada Day Message

New Brunswick’s premier acknowledged the pandemic during his annual Canada Day message on Tuesday.

Blaine Higgs said although we cannot mark the occasion like we normally would, we can still find ways to celebrate.

“In New Brunswick we are in the fortunate position of having access to parks and beaches. Canada Day is a wonderful time to experience the natural beauty around us, while remembering to follow physical distancing guidelines,” said Higgs.

“For others, this will be the perfect opportunity to get together with a few loved ones and close friends for a backyard BBQ.”

Higgs said throughout these difficult times, we have shown how strong we are, and we will continue to persevere by working together in the days ahead.

“Despite the uncertainty we are all experiencing right now, I hope that on July 1 you feel the same gratitude I do in being a Canadian. As a nation we have accomplished so many great things, and with our resilient spirit, we will take on whatever the future may hold.”