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| "Canoe Capital of Canada" – that's our community theme. But you know you sometimes have to really look to see evidence of it. Of course, now that the warmer weather is with us, there are more canoes on the roofs of cars now. And, if plans for a new celebration for Canada Day are successful, we will have, here in Atikokan, our very own Canada Day Canoe Parade
This is another one of those great ideas that just needs a little participation to be the beginning of something big, of something absolutely unique to Atikokan that could bring visitors to the community from all over the place for a fun, family-oriented celebration of Canada's 134th birthday. Here are the tentative plans. Starting from Bunnell Park, people in voyageur canoes and standard recreational canoes will paddle the Atikokan River, with the current to arrive at Legion Point. There will be food there, a corn boil, etc. and other Canada Day celebrations hosted by the Atikokan Centennial Museum. Then at approximately 3:00 pm, for the more accomplished canoeists, there will be a race, against the current, back to Bunnell Park. For those of us who don't own their own canoe, paddle or life jacket, these will be provided. There will be some places in the voyageur canoes for paddlers, and some additional canoes will be provided by Canoe Canada and Souris River Canoes. If you are not comfortable as a stern paddler, you will be able to paddle in the bow, with a strong stern paddler behind you. Since these spaces will be limited, please arrive early at Bunnell Park if you are not bringing your own canoe. Of course, if you do have your own canoe, paddle and life jacket, or you have a friend who does, please bring them and participate in this first annual event. Since recognition will be given for the best costume, if you have something interesting to wear, that will add to the colour and fun. The event will begin at noon at Bunnell Park. The Ontario Rangers, Quetico Foundation and Quetico Park staff will do some river clean up and shore maintenance on the day before the event. The goals for participation, since this Canada Day marks Canada's 134th birthday are either, 134 people on the river or, more ambitiously 134 canoes on the river. Recently, the Guinness World Record for the most canoes and kayaks rafting on water at the same time was broken in Cleveland Ohio. They had 776 canoes and kayaks out. Not that we can aspire to that many the first time around, but come on Atikokan, Canoe Capital of Canada, let's make our own impressive showing. |
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 Picture from the Guinness World Record event. There are 776 canoes and kayaks in the picture. |