Parks Canada issues statement on fireworks

The Canada Day fireworks and the viewing location has caused some interest and concern in the community as people are being directed to King’s Navy Yard Park.

Fort Malden National Historic Site has been a favoured viewing location for many through the years and Parks Canada has issued a statement on the matter.

E-mailed by Parks Canada’s public relations and communications officer for the Southwestern Ontario Field Unit Julia Grcevic, it reads:“Parks Canada and Fort Malden National Historic Site are proud to be part of the Amherstburg community and to play a supporting role in its annual Canada Day traditions.

This year, the Town has planned an exciting line-up of activities centered at King’s Navy Yard Park, including orienting the fireworks display toward the park. As a result, the fireworks will not be visible from Fort Malden, and the best viewing experience will be at King’s Navy Yard Park.

Fort Malden will be open on Canada Day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a full day of family-friendly Parks Canada programming. Children can become Fort Malden Xplorers and complete hands-on challenges such as making a teacake in the cookhouse, branding at the blacksmith forge, and dressing up as a soldier from the 1830s. Musket firing demonstrations will take place hourly, cannons will fire at 12 noon and 2 p.m., and there will also be live music from 2 to 4 p.m.

After 5 p.m., the site’s grounds remain open for the public to enjoy the waterfront trail. However, Parks Canada encourages visitors to make their way to King’s Navy Yard Park to enjoy the fireworks.

We thank everyone who has made Fort Malden part of their Canada Day and look forward to being part of your daytime celebrations, ahead of the evening festivities at King’s Navy Yard Park.”

In an Instagram post on the town’s tourism site Visit Amherstburg, it reads: “This year's Canada Day fireworks on Wednesday, July 1 will be launched from a barge on the Detroit River, with the best viewing available from King's Navy Yard Park.The waterfront display will light up the sky from a new perspective and is being held from the same location recently used for last year's River Lights and Uncommon Festival fireworks. A special thank you to the support of J&J Marine and Heritage Canada for helping make this celebration possible.Plan ahead and make your way to King's Navy Yard Park for the best viewing experience this year. We'll see you there on Canada Day!”

By RTT Staff