Regina unveils Canada 150 celebrations

With the drumming, dancing and noisemakers, it looked like a party at the legislature Tuesday.

It was, in a way, as the City of Regina kicked off its celebrations for Canada’s 150th anniversary of confederation.

The city, along with representatives from the province and federal government, unveiled its Canada Day events.

“It’s going to be fantastic,” Mayor Michael Fougere said. “It’s going to mark a very important part of our history of our country and a proud day to celebrate what makes up Canada.”

Fougere added the city will be rocking, from live entertainment like Marianas Trench and Regina’s The Dead South to powwow demonstrations from Charging Bear Performance. There will also be an interactive live flag, drumming, round dance, a citizenship reaffirmation program, food and craft vendors and sporting challenges.

It all culminates to what the city called “the longest and most intense” firework display, which will last 20 minutes and 17 seconds.

“We’re the capital and we should be doing this,” Fougere explained. “It just shows we’re a major city in Canada. We’re going to celebrate we’re the best city in Canada.”

Security concerns

The announcement came the day after a fatal terror attack at the Ariana Grande concert at Manchester – just another example of a large, public event being targeted.

Mayor Michael Fougere said, although there are no concrete concerns, those safety concerns are being considered.

“We will be doing what we can to ensure we have a safe celebration and there’s nothing to believe that there’s any issue to be concerned about, but we always, when we have large gatherings, always have our police service and security there to make sure everyone’s safe and has a great time.”