The City of Brantford and Brantford’s Canada Day Committee are excited to announce the OLG Headliner Jim Cuddy Band will be taking the stage this year on Friday, July 1, 2022, at Lions Park Steve Brown Sports Complex.
The free event will also include live music and entertainment including: The Elvis Concert starring Pete Paquette, Freedom Train and opening act, The Box. Additional performances for the entire family include The Wiggles Dorothy and Wags song and dance party and storytime with PAW PATROL Marshall and Brantford Fire Chief Todd Binkley, Independent Pro Wrestling Shows, and a special performance from the Ehawih Dance Group. Attendees can enjoy a variety of food trucks and marketplace vendors and fireworks display at 10 p.m.
“We are thrilled to go back to in-person activities this year,” said Dave Carrol, Chair of the Brantford Canada Day Committee. “You won’t want to miss this year’s incredible line-up of performances and activities for all ages, including Canada’s talented Jim Cuddy Band.”
As one half of one of Blue Rodeo’s song writing partnership, Jim Cuddy has one of the most recognizable voices in Canadian music thanks to hits such as Try, 5 Days in May and Bad Timing. As a group Blue Rodeo has sold over five million records world-wide, won countless JUNO awards, been inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, received a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame and Jim (along with song writing partner Greg Keelor) was invested as Officers of the Order of Canada.
In 1988, in between Blue Rodeo projects, Jim released his first solo album All In Time and hit the road with the Jim Cuddy Band featuring Colin Cripps on guitar, Anne Lindsay on the fiddle, Joel Anderson on the drums, Bazil Donovan on bass and Steve O’Connor on the keyboards. Since that first release Jim went on to record three more solo albums.
The event will kick-off with family fun activities at 11 a.m. and entertainment starting at 12 p.m. The KidZone Carnival and midway will be operating from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. providing plenty of fun and excitement for all ages. Ride tickets and ride-all-day wristbands can be purchased on-site.
The Main Stage music entertainment, presented by OLG, includes performances by The Elvis Concert starring Pete Paquette at 3:30 p.m., Freedom Train at 5:15 p.m., The Box at 6:45 p.m., and headliner the Jim Cuddy Band at 8:30 p.m. There will also be three quality Interleague Independent Pro Wrestling (IPW) shows throughout the day at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. and the Ehawih Dance Group at 2:15 p.m. will share their gifts of Indigenous song and dance in this highly energetic and entertaining show.
There will be a variety of marketplace and food truck vendors on-site, and of course a spectacular fireworks display closing out the evening at 10:00 p.m. The full schedule of events is available at Brantford.ca/CanadaDay.
Complimentary shuttle service, will be made available to help get attendees to and from Lions Parks Steve Brown Sports Complex on July 1. The free Brantford Lift program will also offer shuttle service upon registration. Accessible seating is available at the front of the main stage. Details, including a list of pick-up and drop-off locations, are available at Brantford.ca/CanadaDay. Single-entry parking is also available for $10.00 per vehicle in support of the Sunrise Rotary Club of Brantford.
Volunteer opportunities
There are a number of ways for the public to get involved in Canada Day. The City is currently seeking volunteers to assist with the event. Volunteer opportunities include set-up and take-down, parking attendant (must be ages 18 or over), clean-up, and other duties as assigned for various events. Volunteers will also receive a keepsake t-shirt. Highschool community hours will apply were applicable.
Applications are available at brantford.ca/CanadaDayVolunteer and will be accepted until Monday, June 20 at 4:30 p.m.
