Beaverton's party starts on Canada Day

There will be no shortage of celebrations in Beaverton next week.
Not only are the Homecoming Weekend activities slated for July 3 to 5 to honour Beaverton's 125th anniversary, there's also a full day of fun on tap for Canada Day.
The festivities get underway bright and early July 1 with a pancake breakfast courtesy of the Beaverton Lions Club at the firehall from 8:30 to 11 a.m.
During the breakfast, many residents may want to take a trip down to the harbour, where the Beaverton and District Conservation Club will host its annual children's cane pole fishing derby. The event runs from 9 to 11 a.m. and poles, hooks, and worms will be provided. Children under age 12 are welcome to participate, if accompanied by an adult.
Starting at 11 a.m., local non-profit organizations will be showcasing their wares in a street mall at the west end of Simcoe Street.
Members of the Beaverton Thorah Eldon Historical Society will once again be serving up strawberry shortcake at The Meeting Place from noon until 2 p.m.
A concert by Linda Wood and the Northern Strings is slated for the area from 1 until 2:30 p.m., though the musicians will take a short break at 1:30 p.m. for the official ceremonies.
At 2 p.m., the Lions Club will get back into the action with its fundraising duck race down the Beaver River.
At 3 p.m., murals marking the village's anniversary will be officially unveiled.
The first ceremony will come at Ben's Pharmacy, which will feature a mural of local heritage buildings, as well as 'snapshots' of everyday life from Beaverton over the years.
Two others will be unveiled at The Strand Theatre. The first -- on the sidewall of the building --  will feature eight-foot tall portraits of notable Beavertonians. The second -- on the marquee of the theatre -- will feature a 3-D replica of the antique projector that played the first films in Canada, which is on display in the theatre's lobby, as well as painted snapshots from said films.
Following the official unveiling, there will be a special screening of those films.
The day winds to a close with a community picnic, featuring live music and children's games, at the fairgrounds starting at 7 p.m.
From 7:30 to 8 p.m., the Lindsay Pipes and Drums will perform in the courtyard of Lakeview Manor, accompanied by members of the RCMP and the United Canada Colour Party.
After that, those groups will formally march to the fairgrounds for a flag raising and the singing of O Canada.
This year's fireworks display is expected to be bigger than ever in recognition of Beaverton's 125th anniversary. It should get underway around 10 p.m.
Residents planning to take in the show are asked to make a donation.