Happy (virtual) Canada Day, with physical distancing

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This article was published 30/06/2020 (1542 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Slap on some hand sanitizer, gather round the computer and get ready to celebrate Canadian confederation 2020-style. The coronavirus pandemic has turned most Canada Day parties into virtual affairs this year and officials are encouraging Manitobans to keep public health guidelines in mind during the holiday.

In a media release Tuesday, the province reminded residents to practise physical distancing and follow public gathering restrictions while celebrating at home, at the cottage or at a campground on July 1. Gatherings in phase three of the province’s reopening plan are limited to 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors with physical distancing enforced.

Here are some virtual alternatives to gathering on Canada Day:

The Forks

While The Forks hosted a reported 100,000 people during its Canada Day festivities in 2019, the grounds will be a lot emptier this year. The organization has cancelled its live concerts and fireworks display and is opting instead for an hour-long virtual variety show.

Viewers can tune in on Facebook or YouTube at 2 p.m. today for performances by Al Simmons, Slow Leaves, Kal Barteski, Lara Rae, Taylor Janzen and the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, among others. The show has been pre-recorded and also includes a virtual fireworks display by Archangel Fireworks.

Saint-Boniface

Celebrate Canada Day and learn a little about Winnipeg’s French quarter with a virtual neighbourhood tour and concert hosted by Passion Histoire Saint-Boniface.

Host Barney Morin will lead a virtual tour through the sites of Saint-Boniface, followed by musical performances by francophone artists Madame Diva, Andrina Turenne, Hakim Moussaoui and Justin Lacroix. The live stream starts at 1 p.m. on Tourisme Riel’s YouTube channel.

Canadian Heritage

Tune in with people from across the country to watch virtual performances of homegrown talent hosted by the federal government. On July 1, Canadian Heritage will be streaming two shows on its Facebook and YouTube channels on July 1.

The daytime performance kicks off at noon and features Manitoba musicians Sierra Noble, Faouzia, Kelly Bado, Olivia Lunny, JP Hoe and Burnstick. The two-hour evening show starts at 7 p.m. and the lineup includes Alanis Morissette, Avril Lavigne, Sarah McLachlan, Alan Doyle, The Jerry Cans and The Sheepdogs; as well as a dance performance by Alanna McAdie of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet.

Citizenship ceremony

Join in celebrating Canada’s newest citizens by tuning into a virtual citizenship ceremony on July 1, hosted by the Institute for Canadian Citizenship, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada and MaRS Discovery District, a tech startup company.

The event will be streamed on MaRS’ livestream channel beginning at 1 p.m. It will include interviews with new citizens who are frontline workers, a performance by drum group Warrior Women and a greeting from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.