A Juno-winning musician will headline the Canada Day festivities in Beaverton this year.
Following a generous donation and sponsorship from RE/MAX Country Lakes Reality, Paul Reddick – the 2017 winner for Blues Album of the Year – will be taking the stage at the Beaverton fairgrounds on July 1.
“For more 25 years he’s been writing and performing his eclectic brand of blues, bringing the art form to new frontiers with his rapacious, deep vocals, masterful harmonica playing and song writing. As the unofficial poet laureate of Canadian blues words are his weapon of choice and when he sings, it is near impossible not to listen and get lost within the songs,” reads a press release on Reddick.
“A devotee of pre-war blues and classic artists such as Muddy Waters, Sonny Boy Williamson and Howlin’ Wolf, Reddick formed his innovative band Paul Reddick & The Sidemen in Toronto in 1990, developing a cult-like following in the clubs and venues on the circuit at the time and spent the better part of a decade touring across Canada. Together, they released four albums, two of which were JUNO nominated. In 2002, their groundbreaking release Rattlebag won three Maple Blues Awards including Electric Act of the Year, Songwriter of the Year and Album of the Year and was nominated for a W.C. Handy Award in the U.S.”
The concert at the fairgrounds – which opens at 6 p.m. with a set from Whiskey Mojo before Reddick takes the stage at 8 p.m. – comes towards the end of a full day of fun.
“Outside of some of the food vendors, the entire event is free thanks to support and donations by local businesses,” said Cyndi Schaffer, a member of the Beaverton Lions Club and chair of the Canada Day committee.
It opens with a pancake breakfast at the firehall from 8 to 10:30 a.m. followed by a cane pole fishing derby at the harbor, presented by the Beaverton Thorah Conservation Club from 9 to 11 a.m.
The community mall on Simcoe Street at Old Mill Gateway Park gets underway at 10:30 a.m. featuring an array of family activities, including face-painting, a bouncy castle and obstacle course, mini-putt and musical entertainment courtesy of Walter Campbell and Friends.
The annual parade will embark from the fairgrounds at 1 p.m., followed by the opening ceremonies at the park at 1:30 p.m., which includes the presentation Harold Lodwick Citizenship Award.
The Lions fundraising duck race down the Beaver River is set for 2:30 p.m., followed by a short break as the festivities move down to the fairgrounds.
“We want everyone to bring their lawnchairs and blankets, listen to some great music, enjoy a barbecue by the Lions and take part in some great family activities,” Schaffer said.
As always, the day will conclude with fireworks around 10 p.m. and organizers have set aside $10,000 for the display – nearly twice as much as last year.
“Donations will be accepted at the gate in evening at fairgrounds to help offset the cost of the fireworks display, which will be unbelievable. Victory Fireworks has promised us a great show once again,” Schaffer said.
“We wanted to celebrate with a show everyone would remember for Canada 150 and the 100th anniversary of Lions International.”
For more information, including a full schedule, visit http://www.beavertoncanadaday.ca
