A local shopping centre is throwing Canada a party for its 150th.
Hillside Centre is in the midst of putting the final “bells and whistles” on the outdoor party that it will hold on Saturday, June 24, between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. in a section of parking lot facing Hillside Avenue.
“I want them to come and be reminded of what a great country we live in, meet new people, make friends, have fun and reflect, even if it is just for moment, about what a great country we live in and how lucky we are,” said Michele Paget, marketing director for Hillside Centre.
The planned sesquicentennial event marks Hillside Centre’s first stab at holding an outdoor event.
While Hillside Centre has had a long history of organizing indoor events that draw tens of thousands, such as its annual Night of Lights event, a charitable event that marks the beginning of the extended holiday shopping season, Paget said the business wants to expand its repertoire.
“We haven’t done something different like this before and because is it Canada’s 150th, it is a good excuse to try something different,” she said.
The event itself will feature multiple elements.
They include an outdoor music stage that will feature a trio of local bands: the Eccelstons (Celtic), Katzenjammers (Rock and Roll) and Pony Express (Country).
“We selected them because they represent the genres which cover Canada,” said Paget, who is encouraging people to listen to the music from their lawn chairs.
Musician Peter Hahn and balloon artist Paul Kilshaw, who entertained the family of Prince William during their visit in Victoria, will offer entertainment for children. They can also try a number of sports including soccer, basketball and road hockey in a designated area outside of the newly opened Canadian Tire outlet.
Elements appealing to all ages include a photo booth that allows visitors to snap a photo of themselves behind a multitude of famous Canadian landscapes and an impression board shaped like a Canadian flag that allows people to post their thoughts about what it means to be Canadian.
Captain and Miss Canada, a couple dressed in Canadian-themed clothing, will be also be on hand, said Paget.
The event will also feature food vendors and coincide with a Canada Day-themed sale, said Paget. “I can’t say what the pricing will be, but it will be a big, one-day sale,” she said.
Almost a year will have passed between the event itself and the start of planning for it, said Paget.
“We knew that we were going to do something major and we started back in August, sourcing everything that you can think of,” she said.
While much of the planning has wrapped up, a couple of items remain. No Canada Day celebration would be complete without the opportunity to sample Beavertails.
Paget said she is also still working with the local francophone society to secure a French-language component. “We are trying to get something, absolutely, because we would love them to be a part,” she said.
So what sort of response does Paget anticipate? She is not sure. “But it would be great to have a couple of thousand,” she said.
“The event will start at 11 a.m and go until 4 p.m.,” she said. “So there will be lots of people coming and going, so it is not necessarily jammed into a limited time.” So people will have a chance to come and go, have a little of bit fun and have a bit to eat, as they listen to the music or check out the centre. “So they can just roam around,” she said.
In planning the event, Paget has been able to draw on her previous experiences and extensive contacts. And while she cannot control the weather, she is prepared for all eventualities.
“It is going to be interesting,” she said. “We do have Plan B in case it rains.”
In that case, festivities will move inside, said Paget. “It just means that everybody will be a little bit closer, in more ways than one.”