New Canada Day festival planned for a big Ontario city
Just weeks after announcing that a long-time Canada Day festival has been cancelled, another celebration is about to step in to take its place.
Plans are underway for a new July 1 event in the Mississauga community of Port Credit, situated along the shores of Lake Ontario.
Complete plans will be revealed at a press conference on April 16, but INsauga.com has learned that several groups are coming together to kick-start the event, including the City of Mississauga, Port Credit Business Improvement Association and representatives of Paint the Town Red, who had to cancel their event this year.
It is expected that some of the activities that made Pant the Town Red a popular event for 21 previous years will return. They could include a parade along Lakeshore Road, live music, street performers, food vendors, family activities and a fireworks display at night, although these events have not been confirmed. The lineup of activities will be announced at this week’s press conference.
Since the news that Paint the Town Red will not be happening this year, several people have been working behind the scenes to pull something together as a replacement, especially since the event was well attended and one that the community tends to rely on each year.
“With what has been happening with (U.S. President) Donald Trump’s attitude towards Canada, it was such a shame that Paint the Town Red had to be cancelled at a time when Canadians where displaying unprecedented patriotism,” said a source who has knowledge of the planning efforts for the new event.
Organizers have said Paint the Town Red couldn’t continue this year “due to limitations in funding, increasing operational expenses, logistical difficulties, and ongoing economic instability.” However, plans were to bring it back in 2026. Since that announcement was made, there have been calls from the community to bring it back, with many acknowledging they didn’t do enough to help with the event in terms of fundraising or volunteering.
Another Ontario community also recently announced that Canada Day celebrations have been cancelled due to a lack of funds and community support. That event, which had been held yearly in Milton, Ontario, is also being re-evaluated to find ways to bring it back next year.
By Steve Pecar, inauga
