One day wasn’t enough for the huge number of activities taking place at the 2012 Langley Canada Day celebrations. Organizers vowed to ensure that the event stayed a two day festival and they have been successful.

Early this spring Grace J. Fong, an employee of The Salvation Army’s Gateway of Hope stepped up to be the volunteer Director of Field Entertainment and coordinate the many activities that make Langley Canada Day a fun and family friendly event.

Fong has a philosophy about what families need and how Canada Day is a positive family experience. “The objective of keeping this two-day 50,000 people event alive is to keep the joyous and respectable family oriented community together. she said. “It is the family and positive community that keeps our nation alive.” she added.

In addition to the non stop field entertainment, two members of the BC Lions will make an appearance from 2:00 until 3:00 p.m. on July 1st. They will be signing autographs and handing out some cool BC Lions giveaways!

Something new has been added this year. The LAMB Motoring Club will host a Show and Shine from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. on Canada Day. Vintage car enthusiasts can still register with the club at [email protected]

Both days will feature different shows and demonstrations throughout both days. The Dogwood Pacesetters Canine Sports team will be presenting their ever- popular dog show. “Come and watch the antics of your four legged best friends”, said Fong.

The Laughing Stock Ranch will offer pony rides for kids and many of the ponies will be available to be petted by kids of all ages. Lutini the magician will be strolling the grounds providing some amazing roving entertainment that will intrigue and astound you.

There are lots of interactive games to enjoy. Have a game of laser tag. Take a ride on the Swing Ride, Carousel, Wild Rapids giant slide and many other fun rides. Climb on the climbing walls or get into a foam dance pit. “There is something for everyone!” said Travis Strain, president of the Langley Canada Day Society.

On June 30th the day ends with a movie in the park featuring “The Lorax.”  On Canada Day (July 1st) there will be a spectacular “Happy 145th birthday Canada’ fireworks show as a grand finale to the celebration.

-Lilianne Fuller

On June 30th the gates open at 11:00 a.m. and at noon the main stage explodes with the sounds of Danny Echo, a four piece festival rock and roll band. At 1:00 p.m. Langley Canada Day is rolling out something new to the festival. The Voice – Langley kicks off. Local contestants will compete in a” Canadian Idol” style singing competition. The finale will on Canada Day at 7:15 p.m. The winner will receive a cash prize of $100 and a one song demo recording session at Static Wave Studios.

Back again this year by popular demand is Steve Elliot (Elvis) and his band the Blue Suede Boys. Other acts during the day are Heads Hang Heavy, Champagne Republic, and Free flow. Check out the Langley Canada Day website at www.langleycanadaday.ca for show times.

ABRA CADABRA a high energy tribute band hits the stage at 8:15. This act is guaranteed to make you get up and dance. The end of the day will feature a movie in the park. There will be some Canadian shorts prior to a screening of The Lorax on the giant screen.

On Canada Day, make plans to be at McLeod Park all day. Bring a blanket and a lawn chair because the entertainment is nonstop from 11:45 a.m. and goes all day and into the night. The opening ceremony will begin at 1:00 p.m. and in addition to the greetings by dignitaries the ceremony will introduce you to the winner of Langley Canada Day and JOY TV’s Outstanding Youth Community Service Award contest. Right after the ceremony, Steve Elliott and his Blue Suede Boys will take to the stage and are followed all day by a great line up of live entertainment.

The day’s finale comes at 9:30 p.m. Mooncoin Production’s newest stage show ‘SWAY” features the biggest hits from Canadian international sensation Michael Bublé . Actor Tony Barton a vocalist and entertainer will have you convinced that it is indeed Bublé on the stage. At 10:30 a spectacular fire works show will light up the sky above the park. And the day ends with a finale from SWAY.

Langley Canada Day Society Hits Financial Crunch

Appeals to the community for Support

Despite an almost $16,000.00 shortfall, Langley Canada Day organizers are vowing to keep the Langley Canada Day festival a full two days. Early in this year’s planning stages a shortfall was carried over from last year. An application to BC Gaming was made in the hopes that the shortfall could be alleviated. Due to an error in the application the society was turned down for funding.

In addition the overall grants for this year were lowered and community sponsors haven’t stepped up with cash. The event is highly supported by ‘in-kind’ sponsorship and organizers are grateful for this but to pay fees for field entertainment, hire rides and games and pay for the onstage entertainment this type of assistance doesn’t help.

Organizers have known about the shortfall but it is the loss of a $10,000. BC Gaming grant that may be the final straw to shorten the first day or eliminate it altogether. “Last year the festival fell short by $15,387.92 and we had hoped to make it up this year. But unless we get some significant sponsorship, it won’t happen and acts will have to be dropped. We will have to make cuts as and we aren’t ruling out eliminating one day of one of the only two day Canada Day events in Western Canada,” said Volunteer Board chair Travis Strain.

Sponsors are being sought and the call is out for any amount of financial support. Organizers hope that some businesses will issue a challenge to outdo each other in donations. Two local businesses have already stepped up and are challenging other small businesses to do the same. “Many people don’t realize that this is how the festival is supported. Langley Canada Day is not kept alive by government money but by support from local businesses in the form of both financial and in-kind donations,” added Strain.

“Because Canada Day falls on a weekend, it has ramped up the costs.”, said Matthew Fearn, a local accountant who is the society’s volunteer treasurer. Ordinary citizens are being called upon to help out as well. “The public is able to assist by giving a cash donation. Our Society is able to issue tax receipts due to having a Revenue Canada Charitable Number, so there is a benefit to donating.’ continued Fearn.

Organizers want to clear up a misconception as well. It is assumed that the festival is run by government or paid staff. “This is completely untrue”, said Lilianne Fuller, Media Director for the event. “The entire board is made up of volunteers and there is no compensation of any sort for the hours that goes into planning, organizing and executing a festival of this magnitude,” she said. “Over 50 thousand people attended last year,” She continued. “We’d hate to see the event reduced.”

For more information on how you can help, contact President Travis Strain or Vice President Cheryl Tallman at 604-522-6232

Keep coming back to see what we have planned for this years festival!