The eight municipalities in the United Counties of Prescott and Russell (UCPR) will be joining together on Canada Day to present a virtual event which will feature performers from throughout the region.

The municipalities are teaming up with the Prescott Russell Arts Council (CAPRAC) to present Canada PR 2021 – a virtual event that will allow UCPR residents and online guests to mark the national holiday safely from the comfort of their homes, yards and patios. The celebration will begin at 6:30 p.m. on July 1, and will feature musical, magic and dancing performances by some of the biggest names in Prescott-Russell. All of the UCPR municipal team are joining forces to offer a unique event to their citizens and are inviting the community of Prescott-Russell to gather virtually to celebrate Canada’s 154th birthday, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The Conseil des arts de Prescott et Russell Arts Council is proud to be collaborating with all counties of Prescott and Russell for celebrating our country, everyone’s land, our unifying diversity and our deep acknowledgment of one another’s core identity and uniqueness” says Eric Charlebois, President of Prescott-Russell Arts Council. “Art, culture and heritage truly are the loudest of rallying cries and the strongest of bonds to assert our sense of belonging and our proactive openness.

The virtual celebration will be live-streamed on Facebook and YouTube, as well as on local cable-vision stations. More information on the event, how to watch, and all of the performers from each region, will be announced in the coming weeks.

Zoe Fortin, Communications Specialist for Champlain Township, said the virtual event combining all of the municipalities in the UCPR is a chance to showcase talent in the region to a larger audience than would have been possible if each community held their own.

“As it is virtual, we have to compete with places like Montreal and Ottawa, so we thought why not put all of our efforts together to have one big event,” Fortin said. “We have so many artists right here to showcase.”

As a build up to the event, residents throughout Prescott-Russell are encouraged to decorate their homes in red, white and Canadian flags. Residents are also invited to share their photos and celebration setups with the event at #CanadaPR2021.

Canada PR 2021 will also be hosting a sing-along of ‘O Canada’. Prescott and Russell residents are invited to participate in a virtual choir for the interpretation of the national anthem during the concert.

Organizers are looking for several clips of different Prescott-Russell residents singing ‘O Canada’. Whether alone or in your social bubble, dress in red and white and send in a video of your interpretation of O Canada (in the language of your choice) by following an instrumental track. The age of participants can range from toddlers to adults, and families singing along.

The videos will all be combined into one video for the event and those participating will join in song with residents from every county to celebrate Canada Day.

Videos can be submitted before June 20. Residents can send their clip and find the instrumental track on the registration form at https://forms.gle/bs8v7SueGTeHni896 .