Canada Day in Mission

July 1st is usually celebrated in Mission with Canada Day birthday cake, family-friendly activities and free live entertainment at Fraser River Heritage Park.

Due to COVID-19, Canada Day celebrations in Mission were mostly conducted online in 2020 and 2021. In 2022 the celebrations returned to Fraser River Heritage Park and are being held again at this venue in 2023.

Canada Day in Mission BC

Canada Day festivities in Mission typically begin at around 8:00 am with a pancake breakfast hosted by the local Rotary Club at the park. The party usually finishes 14 hours later, at 10:00 pm, with fireworks at the Mission Raceway. It’s a great small-town community event, and admission is free!

In 2022 the event was different from years prior to COVID-19. It ran from 8:00 am until 3:00 pm at Fraser River Heritage Park and focused on connecting with others while learning and reflecting. Celebrations in 2023 are running at the same time as the year before.

Where and When

The main Canada Day celebrations usually take place at Mission’s Fraser River Heritage Park which is located at 7494 Mary Street. Activities there run from 8:00 am until 3:00 pm in 2023. Mission itself is located in the Fraser Valley on the north side of the Fraser River from Abbotsford.

After the daytime event at Fraser River Heritage Park the festivities usually start back up again at Mission Raceway Park at 32670 Dyke Road. Admission to the Raceway venue is free after 8:30 pm and that’s where the fireworks typically blast off at 10:00 pm.

The 2021 celebrations were scaled down due to COVID-19. 2022 celebrations were different as well. Events for the 2023 celebrations are still to be confirmed.

Canada Day Crowd in Mission — Fraser River Heritage Park on Canada Day

Canada Day Activities

A lot happens on Canada Day in Mission in years when there isn’t a pandemic. The day starts with a pancake breakfast that runs from 8:00 am until 10:30 am. The cost for that is $5 for adults and $3 for children. Unfortunately, this was unable to take place in 2020 or 2021 due to the pandemic. The pancake breakfast returned in 2022 and features again in 2023.

It’s not until around 11:00 am that the day’s main activities usually begin. That’s when the local Leq’á:mel First Nations do their official welcome, the Canadian flag is raised and everyone sings O Canada.

Other activities during the Canada Day event in normal years include performances by various groups like the Mission Music Rock Band, the Cascadia Wind Ensemble and Jester’s Theatre.

At the event there are also martial arts demonstrations and magic shows. In past years there have also been lumberjack shows, fitness classes, dog agility performances and acrobatic shows at various times throughout the day.

Also in the past there have been pony rides, a climbing wall, bouncy castles, a soapbox derby, obstacle course races, games, craft activities and even an escape room too. Community organizations also have information booths set up around the venue.

Canada Day Festivities in Mission — Mission Canada Day Festivities

Canada Day Event Schedule

Below was the schedule of events for Mission’s Canada Day festivities in 2022. The schedule of events for 2023 is pending.

(Note: Times and other details were subject to change.)

8:00 am – Rotary Pancake Breakfast
10:00 am – The Great Gordini Magic Show (on the Main Stage)
11:00 am – Leq’á:mel First Nations Welcome (in the Flag Plaza)
11:30 am – Cake Cutting
11:50 am – Norden the Magician (on the Main Stage)
12:30 pm – Can Dance Studios Dancers (on the Main Stage)
1:00 pm – Dunvegan Scottish Dancers (on the Main Stage)
1:00 pm – Cascadia Wind Ensemble (in the Flag Plaza)
1:30 pm – Mission Punj-aab Culture Club (on the Main Stage)
2:00 pm – Excel Martial Arts Performance
2:30 pm – Bellydance Troup (on the Main Stage)

In addition to the above, martial arts demonstrations took place during most of the day, as did rock wall climbing, escape room adventures, face painting and other family-friendly activities.