Canada Day 2010 in Osgoode

Canada celebrates it's 143^rd anniversary Thursday, July 1^st, and Osgoode is ready for it, says OVCA director, Greg Thurlow. "This is the 100^th year of the Canadian Navy so we're honouring the veterans of yesterday and today."

True to the theme, special guests Major Jim Duquette, a recent Afghanistan vet, his wife, Anne, and their kids will lead the parade on the same float as Legion members surrounded by Osgoode youth waving flags. "People can also expect lots of music. The Woodland Legion Band will start off the parade and play until every last float crosses the finish line. Then they'll lead a Scottish reel."

Thurlow has also snagged the Samuel Scott Pipe Band, a talented group of youths who will wander Main Street playing laments as the crowd awaits the parade. Later on, the pipe band will take centre stage near the Community Centre for a session of dueling bag pipes played to modern music. "That should be really neat," smiles Thurlow.

Set up for the parade is at the corner of Nixon and Osgoode Main Street at 4 p.m. "We want you to put your float in the parade, come and join us," he says. "It steps off right at 5 p.m."

The Canada Day committee itself boasts some new faces this year, and with those come fresh ideas. "I think we'll have lots of things for kids to do," explains Thurlow, listing a bike decorating contest, dog show, and Ray's Reptiles among the day's events. "In the morning children can enjoy the antics of a mad scientist and a magician or bounce to their hearts' content on one of three inflatable carnival games."

Also new this year is the 3-on-3 Round Robin Basketball Tournament, ages 7-16, a free event which runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

After the parade, the Woodland Legion Band will perform a Scottish real and The Cow Guys will put on a comedic music, fire and juggling act the whole family can enjoy.

But the fun isn't just for children. Adults can test their skills at several hilarious games in the afternoon, including the new Wife Carrying Contest.

"Husbands, we want to test your ability to carry your wife," challenges Thurlow, explaining that men will get to haul their wives around an obstacle course in heats, fireman-style. "I'm expecting that to be popular. The ones in Europe are and they carry them through swamps and stuff. Dress up as bride and groom," he suggests. "But it's got to be male and female to be fair."

The tables turn when the ladies take control of their husbands for the Lost Husband Race.

"The husband will have two pieces of rope in his hands, tied to a wagon which is carrying the wife. The object is for the ladies to lead theirs husband through the obstacle course and back again in the fastest time. Try and imagine a horse and cart except the horse is blindfolded." Sign up for the races is at the Scout tent on Canada Day.

Also new is the Go-Green Scavenger Hunt, which will replace the car rally. "We want to be environmentally friendly and we want to encourage people to see the historic sites of Osgoode," says Thurlow. "On foot, more people can participate. It will begin at the arena."

Naturally, party goers will also recognize some of the village's usual hit events such as the fireworks. "Peter Choquette is doing the fireworks again this year. He's been doing them for the last five or six years here in Osgoode and always does a marvelous job. Everyone has told us 'get him back' and he's back."

The stage show leading up to the fireworks will also be familiar to folks. "The Ghallagers are coming back again," says Thurlow. "They're a family oriented Canadian band, and they play folk music and they're from Osgoode."

Most of the action centres around the Community Centre and ball diamonds. Bring a lawn chair and bug spray. All events are outdoors unless it rains, then everything moves inside the arena. For more information or to get involved in the parade contact Greg Thurlow at 613-826-4695 OVCA also needs volunteers for everything from supervising the games to clean up the next day.

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