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St. Marys cancels more summer events, moves some festivities online

More beloved summer events in St. Marys have been cancelled, but organizers hope smaller-scale celebrations will keep people connected while they keep their distance.

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More beloved summer events in St. Marys have been cancelled, but organizers hope smaller-scale celebrations will keep people connected while they keep their distance.

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The annual Canada Day picnic that typically brings about 1,000 people to Cadzow Park was cancelled Wednesday. 

In its place, Andrea Macko, the town’s events co-ordinator, said in a news release that a flag-raising ceremony and live entertainment broadcasted over social media will provide an opportunity to celebrate virtually instead.

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Offline, event organizers are encouraging residents to safely sing, play or stand for O Canada outside their homes July 1 at noon, led by the carillon at St. Marys United Church.

Plus, the annual colouring contest will still take place, and a red-and-white baking contest has been added to the festivities. More details are expected soon, but home bakers should begin perusing recipes, the news release said.

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The week before Canada Day, the St. Marys Museum, St. Marys Public Library and the Pyramid Recreation Centre will also livestream activities expected to be announced by mid-June.

But Melodies at the Museum, an eight-week concert series and fundraiser for the museum, was also cancelled Wednesday.

“Between restrictions on gatherings and asking for donations when there are greater needs in the community, cancelling Melodies was the correct decision, if a sad decision,” said Amy Cubberley, the museum’s curator and archivist.

Highlight St. Marys, a new downtown event that was scheduled for Aug. 15, has been scrapped for the same reasons and two other local events – Homecoming+Heritage 2020, which was cancelled in April, and Summerfest, hosted by the Kinsmen Club – are not happening this summer, either.

“We hope that by taking the necessary precautions now, we’ll be able to bring back these events in 2021,” Macko said. “This summer, it is more important to focus on the health of our community.”

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