A Canada Day celebration for all ages

with material from a media relations department news release

The University of Waterloo and the Federation of Students are bringing the region’s favourite community party back to Columbia Lake Fields this Canada Day, Sunday, July 1.

The always popular Canada Day Celebrations organized by the University of Waterloo and its Federation of Students promise to be bigger than ever. This year marks the 145th anniversary of Confederation.

Thousands of local residents are expected to join the university community on Sunday at the Columbia Lake Fields on Columbia Street West.

“If it’s a nice, sunny day, hopefully we will get 60,000 to 70,000 people,” said Tessy George, administrative co-ordinator of the Canada Day Celebrations and a second-year student in health studies. “I’m really excited for the evening, when it starts filling up. People should get there early, though — you’ll want a good spot for the fireworks.”

It’s the 28th year that students have organized the massive celebration. Dedicated student volunteers have worked hard to ensure that this year’s event delivers an expanded line-up of free, family-friendly programming.

Running from 2:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., the schedule includes:

• Main stage performances from 2:00 to 10:00 p.m., including pop multi-instrumentalist Nate Hall (6:15 p.m.), five-piece rock band Chalkboard Menu (7:15 p.m.), R&B singer Rufus (8:15 p.m.), and singer-songwriter Scotty James (9:15 p.m.).
• Children’s stage performances from 2:00 to 7:00 p.m., including hip hop performances, storytelling, martial arts, music and more.
• Mini-Olympics, a Fun Fest, face painting and Activity World for children of all ages.
• Tours of Brubacher House, one of two remaining original buildings at the University of Waterloo, and a kite-flying display by the Wind Climbers Kite Club.
• A great array of arts and crafts vendors, and a tantalizing food fair that includes the Canada Day Celebrations food tent, raising money for the fireworks display.
• Canada’s birthday cake! The official opening ceremony will be held at 6:00 p.m., and 1,000 cupcakes will be given out.
• And of course, fireworks at 10:00 p.m.

There is no entry fee, and all performers are volunteering their time and talents. That means all performances and almost all activities are free to the public.

Parking is also free for the day of the event at all university parking lots, and accessible parking is available at OpenText on Frank Tompa Drive. Grand River Transit bus routes 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, and 29 all service the main University of Waterloo campus, as do the 200 and 201 iXpress routes.

The University of Waterloo Canada Day Celebrations are supported by many local businesses and organizations. Key sponsors are the Department of Canadian Heritage, City of Waterloo, KIX 106.7 FM, Waterloo Region Record, United Rentals, OpenText, Waterloo Printing, J.M. Schneider Foods, 570 News, Domino’s Pizza, CHYM FM, Sherwood Systems Inc. and Waterloo Regional REACT.

And just to quell any confusion, the celebrations will indeed be taking place on Sunday, and not Monday, which is a holiday, with most university operations and services closing for the day. In addition, the holiday Monday will be resulting in a movement of classes that would have taken place that day to Wednesday, July 4, with the Wednesday classes being cancelled. Clear as mud? I thought so.

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Remembering retirees and other notes

Susan Mavor of the university library has informed me that one of the first librarians hired to establish the University of Waterloo's library, Elaine Reaman, died on June 22 in Victoria, BC, where she had moved after retiring in 1984 as head of circulation at the Dana Porter Library. "Elaine was very supportive of the Library’s Special Collections, donating both funds as well as family papers," writes Mavor. A donation she made in 2007 "enabled the Library to install new specially lighted display cases flanking the entrance to the Doris Lewis Rare Book Room used to highlight the Collection's many often-hidden treasures," Mavor adds. The gift commemorated the Reaman family's association with the university, in particular the role of Dr. G. Elmore Reaman as the university's Director of Adult Education from 1957 to his retirement in 1967, as well as Elaine Reaman's career as the Library's first Head of the Circulation Department.

In addition, several other retirees have died recently, reports Human Resources.

Horst Weckworth died June 14. Horst began working at the university in 1981 in Plant Operations until his retirement as Custodial Foreperson in November 1999. He is survived by his spouse, Shirley, and his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. On a personal note, I lived across the street from Horst and his wife Shirley for many years, and will remember how generous he was with his snowblower in wintertime.

Dieter Birkmann, who started in June 1986 and worked in the Engineering Machine Shop as a Technician until October 2001, died June 18. He is survived by his spouse, Bonnie.

Donna O'Brecht, the Electrical and Computer Engineering department's administrative assistant for many years, died on Monday, June 25. O'Brecht retired in 2001 after 24 years of service. A funeral service will be held today at 11:00 a.m. at the Davey-Linklater Funeral Home, 757 Princes St., Kincardine.

St. Jerome's University is inviting members of the campus community to a reception that will celebrate the accomplishments of the university during the term of its president and Vice-Chancellor David Perrin, who has served since 2007. The event takes place Thursday, July 12, at 3:00 p.m. in the Douglas R. Letson Community Centre. To RSVP, please contact Marissa Taggart at mjtaggar@ uwaterloo.ca or by phone at 519-884-8111 ext. 28237.

The University Choir will be performing "Soundscapes & Improvisations" featuring Harry Freedman, "Keewaydin", and Terry Riley, "In C" at The Cedars (543 Beechwood Drive in Waterloo) on Saturday, July 21 at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $10 for regular admission and $5 for students and seniors.

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