Kim Mitchell and Sass Jordan perform at Brantford's Canada Day Event

BRANTFORD, ON – The City of Brantford is pleased to announce the exciting lineup of activities and entertainment for Brantford’s Canada Day event on Saturday, July 1, 2023, at Lions Park Steve Brown Sports Complex. Canadian rock stars Kim Mitchell and Sass Jordan will be performing their hit music on the OLG and Elements Casino Brantford Main Stage followed by a spectacular firework display at 10 p.m.

“As we prepare to celebrate Canada’s 156 birthday, I am thrilled to invite residents and visitors alike to join us for a memorable Canada Day event,” says Mayor Kevin Davis. “This year’s festivities promise to offer something for everyone and demonstrates the lively community spirit that makes Brantford truly exceptional.”

The free all-day event includes live music, family-friendly entertainment, mouth-watering eats from local food trucks, marketplace vendors, midway rides and more. Everyone is welcome to attend the Brantford Citizenship Ceremony where residents take an oath to officially become Canadian citizens at 10 a.m. at the Boys and Girls Club.

“Brantford’s Canada Day Committee, along with City of Brantford staff, have carefully planned an exciting lineup of entertainment and activities to mark the occasion and we’re especially thrilled about the return of the Canadian Citizenship Ceremony,” says Dave Carrol, Chair of the Brantford Canada Day Committee. “The ceremony is the perfect start to the day and kicks off the Canada Day celebration.”

Kim Mitchell is a Canadian rock icon who has sold more than 1.5 million records in Canada, earned 17 Juno Award nominations, and in 2021 was inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame. An acclaimed singer-songwriter and guitarist is well known for writing and performing his classic hits including; Go For a Soda, Rock N Roll Duty, Patio Lanterns, I am a Wild Party Easy to Tame and All We Are. His most recent album release was in 2021 titled, The Big Fantasize.

Sass Jordan is a pioneer of female-fronted rock, known for her powerful, gritty, blues-infused rock n’ roll and crowd-pleasing performances, she has received multiple music industry awards, including JUNO and BILLBOARD, along with multiple nominations. Having sold over one million records worldwide, her raspy vocals are unmistakable and command attention. Sass has worked alongside fellow rock greats like Aerosmith, the Rolling Stones, AC/DC and Van Halen, among many others - and is best known for hits like Make You a Believer, So Hard, You Don’t Have to Remind Me and High Road Easy. In 2023 Sass Jordan released a new album Live in New York ‘94 which is charting on iTunes and Spotify, etc.

Musical entertainment on the Main Stage, presented by OLG and Elements Casino will begin at 12 p.m. with performances by Frank DiFelice Band with special guest David McKee, Three Legged Horse at 1:20 p.m., Backburner at 2:30 p.m., Mystic Highway at 4 p.m., Jace Martin & the Pace at 5 p.m., Sass Jordan will take the stage at 6:30 p.m. followed by Kim Mitchell at 8:30 p.m. In between musical performances, three quality Independent Pro Wrestling (IPW) shows will take place at 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.

The Young Canadians Area opens at 12 p.m. where family fun activities await including Barry O’ Kids Show followed by PAW PATROL Chase and Deputy Chief Saunders at 2 p.m. TEAM T&J will perform followed by a Meet and Greet at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Don’t miss Blue’s Clue’s Interactive Storytime followed by a Meet and Greet at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Pony Rides will also be available for $5 per ride.

The KidZone Carnival and midway will be operating from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. providing plenty of fun and excitement for all ages. Ride tickets and ride-all-day wristbands can be purchased on-site or in advance online. Ride-All-Day Bracelets can be purchased online at a special presale rate of only $35 each until June 30, 2023 at albionamusements.com.

Support local at the Canada Day marketplace and enjoy delicious culinary delights from food truck vendors on-site. The evening closes with the not-to-be-missed amazing fireworks display at 10 p.m. The full schedule of events, including the entertainment lineup, is available at Brantford.ca/CanadaDay.

The Canada Day Green Team and the City of Brantford is on a mission to divert 75% of the waste from this year's event. Attendees are asked to bring a reusable water bottle with them to the event. A Quench Buggy will be onsite offering free water refills.

Complimentary shuttle service, will be made available to help get attendees to and from Lions Parks Steve Brown Sports Complex on July 1 and is highly recommended. The free Brantford Lift program will also offer shuttle service upon registration. Accessible seating is available at the front of the OLG main stage. Details, including a list of pick-up and drop-off locations, are available at Brantford.ca/CanadaDay. Single-entry parking is also available for $10 per vehicle in support of the Sunrise Rotary Club of Brantford.

Join the conversation on LetsTalkBrantford.ca/CanadaDay and upload a photo Showing Your Canadian Spirit, share your favourite place to eat in Brantford and more.

Learn more at brantford.ca/CanadaDay or by watching the Canada Day video and get social with us by using the hashtag #BrantfordCanadaDay. Updates can also be found on the City’s Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages.

Volunteer opportunities

There are a number of ways for the public to get involved in Canada Day. The City is currently seeking volunteers to assist with the event. Volunteer opportunities include set-up and take-down, parking attendant (must be ages 18 or over), clean-up, and other duties as assigned for various events. Volunteers will also receive a keepsake t-shirt. Highschool community hours will apply were applicable.

Applications are available at brantford.ca/CanadaDayVolunteer and will be accepted until Wednesday, June 22.

Thank you to Brantford’s Canada Day sponsors

The Brantford’s Canada Day event live music is sponsored by OLG and Elements Casino Brantford. Additional event sponsors include; Albion Amusements Ltd., Arora Dental, Brantford Nissan, Boyle Plumbing and Heating, E & J Septic, Gates Canada, Lancaster Construction, Lance Calbeck Royal LePage Action Realty, Levacs, Millards Chartered Professional Accountants, Mitsui High-Tech Canada, Platinum Fire, Sonoco, Strodes BBQ & Deli, Sunbelt Rentals, Co-operators, Tim Horton’s, West Brant Window World, Wireworks and Zehrs on King George Road.

- 30 -

Media Contacts:

Sharon Sayles | Communications Specialist, Communications and Community Engagement
City of Brantford | 519-759-4150 ext. 5218 | ssayles@brantford.ca

Chelsey Tobin | Communications Specialist, Communications and Community Engagement
City of Brantford | 519-759-4150 ext. 5048 | ctobin@brantford.ca