Boats, floats and a sky that explodes! 

That’s what’s in store this Canada as Manitou Beach welcomes one and all to its Canada Day celebration. In typical Manitou Beach fashion, a range of entertainment and beachside fun awaits starting first thing in the morning with a community pancake breakfast. 

“We’ve got a full day lined up,” Sarah McKen, marketing manager for Watrous / Manitou Beach explains. “The Manitou Beach Rec Board is putting on a pancake breakfast, running all morning from 8:30 to 11:00. In the middle of that, at about 10:00, you’ll see a parade coming through.”

The parade route starts at Camp Easter Seal and winds its way past the Spa and Mike’s Beach Bar and eventually doubles back onto Elizabeth Avenue. The route continues past Little Manitou Art Gallery, eventually ending up at the golf course. 

“If anyone is interested in joining, it’s a parade of decorated golf carts, pets, and dressing up, so all participants are welcome,” says McKen. 

The flotilla gets everyone back to the beach. Motorized boats assemble at the east side of the lake by the marina, while paddleboard, kayaks and other manually powered craft gather on the beach near Burger Buoy. The parade on water makes its way past the main beach. 

At 2:00 pm, the beach area is the site of entertainment and a beer garden where attendees can gather and soak up the relaxation of a long Canada Day weekend. 

Of course, the culmination of the celebration is the fireworks display held over the lake. The reflective properties of the water always make for a spectacular show. 

There’s always hospitality to be had at Manitou Beach. McKen and residents of the Beach invite Canada Day revellers to come down and experience that warmth for themselves.