L’Orignal Beach packed for Canada Day activities, music and fireworks show

Hundreds of Champlain Township residents celebrated Canada Day on July 1 at L’Orignal Beach on the Ottawa River last Friday, July 1.

Despite a forecasted chance of rain, the sun was shining as people returned to Champlain’s municipal beach to celebrate Canada Day together once again. The annual event, which had been on hiatus for the last two years due to COVID-19, came back better than ever. Even before the live show started at 7 p.m. families crowded to the area as of 2 p.m. eager to participate in the event put on by the Township of Champlain, Firefighter’s Association of L’Orignal and partners.

“It’s always a pleasure to host Canada Day in our community, but this year it felt even more special and appreciated by all,” said Lisa Burroughs, Director of Parks and Recreation for the township. “A huge thank you to the Firefighter’s Association of L’Orignal for our partnership and to all of the volunteers and staff that make it possible.”

People filled every corner of L’Orignal Park to take in the day’s entertainment, visit the ice cream food truck, enjoy the beautiful beach, or let their kids play on the bouncy castles. Later, the evening featured a lively concert of the John & Biz music show, and once dusk settled in, everyone gathered along the shore to take in a spectacular fireworks display, signaling the end of a successful Canada Day.

“It’s definitely a great turnout kicking off return of events to the Township of Champlain,” said Normand Riopel, Mayor of Champlain Township.

“It’s just amazing how many people are out already,” Riopel said early in the event. “ The high level of participation in the event by the families of Champlain reinforces how events like this are necessary.”

The John & Biz music show put on an amazing performance and kept the large crowd dancing, taking the stage beginning at 7 p.m. and playing right up until the fireworks show lit up a spectacular sky over the Ottawa River shortly after 10 p.m.