Century Downs Racetrack and Casino is preparing to host a jam-packed weekend of fun in celebration of Canada Day from June 30 to July 2.
Each year, the Balzac-based entertainment venue celebrates the federal statutory holiday with a variety of festivities, though COVID-19 has interfered with those plans in recent years, according to Karen Franco, the facility's marketing and guest services manager.
“Typically, we’ve enjoyed hosting a free firework show to celebrate the day and then a variety of different events with live horse racing,” Franco said, adding the venue has also hosted July 1 concerts over the years.
“So, this is just picking up on that and continuing on for 2022, and we’re pretty excited to have the whole weekend to celebrate this time around.”
Franco added the three-day extravaganza will kick-off with a fireworks display, a $10 prime rib dinner special, and an outdoor concert with local musicians on the evening of Thursday, June 30.
According to Franco, the casino’s staff decided not to host fireworks on Canada Day this year, feeling instead that it would be a great way to kick off the celebratory weekend on Thursday night.
“Since people have the Friday off, they can come out and enjoy the fireworks,” she said. “If they’re taking off for the weekend, they can do that in the morning [on July 1].”
Performances include opening act Ready Set Bro (a Canadian teen pop-rock trio) beginning at 7:30 p.m., followed by headliner Jersey Boulevard (a Bon Jovi and Journey tribute act) at 9 p.m., The fireworks will then get underway at 10:45 p.m.
A final set by Jersey Boulevard will follow the fireworks display to wrap up the evening.
“We are hosting our fireworks show and a free concert out on our apron,” Franco said. “Folks can come and enjoy [the prime rib dinner] and then wander outside, take in the concert, and then stick around for the fireworks after the sun goes down.”
For Canada Day on July 1, the casino will be hosting cash draws every hour from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and a special ‘Only in Canada Eh!’ grand prize draw at 9 p.m.
The next day, on July 2, there will be live harness racing and fun for the whole family with a ‘Picnic in the Paddock’ event, which features picnic lunches on sale for $10 per person including a choice of sandwich, chips, juice box and a sweet treat.
“It’s a play on ‘Picnic in the Park’, but it’s a picnic in the paddock and we’re just opening our paddock area, which is adjacent to the track for families to come and enjoy a little picnic in the grass,” Franco said.
“Something really simple and easy, or people can bring a picnic with them and a picnic blanket and just enjoy the races in a nice, comfortable, grassy area.”
Franco added the casino will be hosting ponies for the kids to pet, as well as games and face painting.
“Hopefully it’s just a fun afternoon, all based around our horse racing,” she said, adding post time is 2:15 p.m., with events underway around 2 p.m. and continuing throughout the afternoon.
“We’ve tried to plan so there’s something for the whole weekend, but different things on each day. Hopefully, it provides everybody an option or a couple of options to enjoy the weekend with us and have some fun.”
For additional information regarding Century Downs’ Canada Day festivities, visit cnty.com
