The Town of Aurora is putting out a call for volunteers to help run its two-day Canada Day celebration, set for June 30 and July 1 in Lambert Willson Park and Aurora Town Park. Organizers need community members to step forward to ensure everything from the parade to the fireworks goes off without a hitch.
“If you would like to volunteer for this event, please fill out the Volunteer Application Form and email to our Special Events Team,” the Town states on its Canada Day page. Residents can reach the team at [email protected] or [email protected], or call 905-726-4762 for more details.
The festivities kick off on June 30 with Dance in the Park at Aurora Town Park from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., headlined by the Burlington-based new wave band Spoons at 9 p.m. Spoons, formed in 1979, earned a Juno Award nomination for Most Promising Group of the Year in 1983.
On July 1, the action starts at 10 a.m. with a parade moving north on Yonge Street from Murray Drive to Aurora Heights Drive. Evening events shift to Lambert Willson Park, where 54-40 takes the stage at 8:30 p.m. The legendary rock band from Tsawwassen, B.C., has notched eight Juno nominations and four platinum albums over its decades-long career. Fireworks will cap the night at 10 p.m.
The Town has also launched a GooseChase scavenger hunt running from June 23 to July 2. Participants who complete at least 10 challenges will be entered to win gift cards from local businesses.
Mayor Tom Mrakas says there is no better place to mark the occasion. “There’s no better place to celebrate than right here in Aurora — Canada’s Birthday Town — where we come together to honour our past, embrace our future, and show our pride in the greatest country in the world,” he said.
Aurora earned its “Canada’s Birthday Town” title on June 9, 1969, making it one of the first municipalities to establish a formal July 1 tradition. The Aurora Museum & Archives notes that the idea grew from a desire to spark more national pride after Canada’s Centenary celebrations in 1967.
With less than two weeks until the event, organizers are urging anyone interested to sign up now. The volunteer effort is key to keeping the celebration free and open for the thousands expected to attend.
