Canada Day 2026
A full day of celebrations on Wednesday, July 1, with a morning hike, a 4 pm opening ceremony at the Lions Gazebo, live music, birthday cake, food vendors, and family activities across Memorial Park.
Canada Day 2026 filled Memorial Park with community celebrations, family fun, music, food, and Canadian pride. Activities ran all day, with the community gathering starting at 4 pm. Thank you to the Department of Canadian Heritage for funding this community event.
Start the day
The Canada Day hike at Mt. Rose Swanson started at 9 am. Hikers met on Chamberlain Road by 8:45 am for waiver signing, with donations welcomed for trail projects.
Opening ceremony, 4 pm at the Lions Gazebo
- Royal Canadian Legion Colour Party
- O Canada performed by the Rockin’ Mamas
- Welcome from Kim Magarvey, President, Armstrong Spallumcheen Chamber of Commerce
- Land acknowledgement
- Prayer for Canada with Pastor Ryan Maljaars
- Greetings from MP Mel Arnold, MLA David Williams, Mayor Joe Cramer (City of Armstrong), and Mayor Christine Fraser (Township of Spallumcheen)
- Recognition of Ina Forrest, Canadian Curling Hall of Fame inductee and Paralympian
- Recognition of past Citizens of the Year
- Announcement of the 2026 Citizen of the Year
- Happy Birthday Canada with the Rockin’ Mamas.
Family fun from 4:30 pm
At the welcome tent, Royal Canadian Legion Branch #35 members and volunteers handed out Canada Day swag and entries to win tickets to the RCMP Musical Ride.
Birthday cake was served by the staff of Valley First Credit Union Armstrong starting at 4:30 pm, while supplies lasted.
The afternoon also included a contest recognizing the youngest and oldest person in attendance, a Canada Day scavenger hunt with cards at the chamber tent, a Canada Day swim at the Memorial Park pool, free face painting by Christine of Creative Works for kids under 18, a Canada Day colouring contest at the chamber booth, a photo booth by Flash & Frame, Pinewood Derby car kits from the Cam Jammers Car Club, a dual bounce house hosted by Ruckus Rentals, and the Mobile Dairy Classroom with hands-on displays about dairy farming.
Food and refreshments
- PV Blvd Coffee
- Samosa Joe’s
- Armstrong Scouts
- Armstrong Lions Club
- Canadian 2 For 1 Pizza
- Seventh Day Adventists haystacks
- Ice Cream Lab.
Community booths
- Zion United Church: soccer skills challenge
- Haugen Healthcare Society: jelly bean guess
- Okanagan Science Centre: youth activities
- The Bookish Collective: make-and-take activity
- Armstrong Kin Club: gummy bear guess and Musical Ride tickets
- Armstrong Guides: soccer-themed make-and-take activity
- Armstrong Spallumcheen Fire Department: fire truck tours and fire safety tips
- Glad Tidings Church: family activities
- Kiran Chopra: free henna.
Entertainment at the Lions Gazebo
- 4 pm to 6 pm: Matt Ryan, Hometown Famous
- 5 pm: Fizzban Wizard’s 40-minute magic show
- 6 pm: Japanese Taiko Drummers and Chidori Dancers
- 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm: Turtle Valley Band
- 7:30 pm: square dancing with Will Cullen on the grass in front of the gazebo.