Start off the month of July with Canada Day celebrations taking place throughout Thunder Bay, July 1. The shops on Court Street will be open from noon to 5 p.m., featuring a children’s area, street café, a small beer garden with local craft beer, and a raffle. Then, visit Marina Park for festivities and entertainment from 5-11 p.m., culminating in the area’s biggest fireworks display. thunderbay.ca
Red Lion Smokehouse will also host a Canada Day Party on July 1, featuring a Persian eating contest at 3 p.m. and live music by The Gin Tonics at 9:30 p.m. Other Red Lion events include a Rock, Paper, Scissors Tournament on July 5, Game Night on July 19, Music Bingo on July 22, and Quiz Night on July 26. redlionsmokehouse.ca
The 16th annual Blues Festival will take place July 7-9, featuring big name artists in blues, roots and rock. Artists include Barenaked Ladies, Amanda Marshall, Randy Bachman, Lighthouse, Big Sugar, Alan Doyle and the Beautiful Gypsies, Rock Steady, Sam Roberts Band and Kim Mitchell. Tickets can be purchased online or at the gate. The gate opens at 4 p.m. on July 8, and at 11:30 a.m. July 9-10; gate closes at 9:30 p.m. each night. tbayblues.ca
Children, parents and teddy bears are invited to enjoy an afternoon of free crafts, activities and entertainment at the annual Teddy Bears Picnic on Tuesday, July 11. Highlights of the day include the Teddy Bear Parade and Boo Boo Bear Station to bandage much loved teddy bears. The event will be held at Vickers Park from noon to 4 p.m. thunderbay.ca
Live on the Waterfront Concert Series will begin July 12 at Marina Park, and will occur every Wednesday until August 30. Held from 6-9 p.m., performers include Mary Walker, Rag Maple, Danny Johnson, Midnight Shine, Kardinal Offishall, Thunder Bay Community Band, Jean-Paul De Roover and more. thunderbay.ca/live
The Thunder Bay Salmon Association is holding a three-day Salmon Derby, July 14-16. There will be multiple categories and prizes, including a Princecraft Boat door prize and daily prizes for the largest salmon. All weigh-ins will be at Prince Arthur Marina Boat Launch; 5-9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Sunday. Rules and regulations can be found online. tbderby.com
The 7th annual Die Active Y-Art Sale will be held July 29, in conjunction with Buskers Fest. Find over 45 emerging artists selling their handmade goods in the Midsummer Garden, behind the Hoito and the Kivela Bakery. Held from 11 a.m.-4 p.m., there will be original art, pottery, embroidery, vintage clothes, books and more for sale. All proceeds go to the artists. definitelysuperior.com/die-active-y-art-sale-5
The Bay Algoma Buskers Festival, held July 29-30, features live music and entertainment, art, local beer, a food village, sidewalk sales, kid’s activities, games and more. Located in the Bay and Algoma shopping district, this year’s headliners include Hand Me Down Circus, Bay St. Bastards, and Phil Duke Trio. New this year is the Great Finlandia Pancake Breakfast, held outside the Hoito to celebrate Finland’s 100th birthday. Entrance to the festival is free. bayalgoma.com/buskers-festival
