There will be plenty of options when it comes to Canada Day activities in the Pontiac region this Friday. Several municipalities have plans to mark the occasion:

Shawville

In Shawville, things will get underway on Thursday (June 30) evening with the longstanding tradition of the Soapbox Derby, which will take place at the top of Victoria Avenue. Registration starts at 6:30 p.m. and the races begin at 7 p.m. The event is put on by the Shawville-Clarendon Fire Department and is open for children 5-12. (Full face helmets are required to participate).

On Friday (July 1), the Shawville Lions will host a community breakfast from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The cost for adults is $12 or $6 for children 10 and under.

A flea market will take place in the Shawville Arena from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Anyone wishing to join in can contact Chris or Melanie at 819-647-6318 or 819-647-8398.

Registration for the parade will begin at 11:30 a.m. at the Lasalle bus garages, located at 149 West Street, and the parade will begin at 1 p.m., taking off from Rectory Road down Main Street, ending at the Shawville Fairgrounds. For more information contact James Howard (613-612-6358) or Sara Knox (613-312-9070).

Mayor Bill McCleary said that there would be an appreciation event for the Fire Department at Mill Dam park on Friday following the parade, with a barbeque put on by the Lions.

McCleary explained that the fireworks would be a little different this year, as they had hired a company to conduct the show. They would be setting off the same number of fireworks as previous years (McCleary estimated the cost at around $25,000), but the show would be roughly 15 minutes rather than the typically longer show. They will get underway at dusk (approximately 9:30 p.m.).

Parking behind the arena will not be allowed for this year’s fireworks, and spaces will be limited at the fairgrounds. There is space available for viewing along the PPJ trail adjacent to the fairgrounds.

Camping will be available at Mill Dam Park throughout the weekend for $20/night, inquiries should be made to the town hall: (819) 647-2979.

Otter Lake

Otter Lake RA President Shane Presley explained that all the activity would kick off with a parade through town at 2 p.m., starting at rue Lafleur and ending at the RA Hall (394 rue Tessier). The opening ceremony will start at 3 p.m. followed by children’s activities and live music provided by Presley himself, his musical partner Reg Carkner, and some of their compatriots.

Other activities of note would be a hand-sawing competition, face-painting and bingo inside the hall, starting at 4 p.m. At 8 p.m. DJ Disco Mobile Ladouceur would take over the musical duties, followed by fireworks at dusk.

Presley said that funds raised from the bar would go towards a splash pad project that the RA was working on. They will be hosting a ball tournament in August for that specific cause as well.

Sheenboro

Up in Sheenboro, Friday will start with a mass at St. Paul the Hermit Church at 9 a.m., followed by a breakfast at the parish hall at 9:30 a.m. Live music by Andrew Jones, children’s activities, a silent auction, and a barbeque will start at 11 a.m. After a welcome message at 11:45 a.m., the parade will make its way through town starting at noon. Jim Beattie will offer his musical stylings starting at 1 p.m.

Mayor Doris Ranger said that it was a relief to have Canada Day celebrations back in the small cottaging community, as it typically marks the “official” start of the summer.