Yellowknife Canada Day celebration moves indoors but still called a success

Despite having to move the event indoors – organizers of this year’s Canada Day celebrations in Yellowknife are calling it a resounding success.

Dave Zethof – special events coordinator for the city – estimated some three to four thousand people showed up at the Multiplex yesterday for a multitude of events including live music, food and activities for the kids.

Zethof said the decision to move the celebration from Sombe K’e Civic Plaza beside City Hall to the Multiplex was made Sunday morning after the forecast called from rain, wind and cool temperatures.

He says the transition to indoors went smoothly and those who attended didn’t seem to mind.

Digawolf performs at Canada Day celebration in Yellowknife (photo courtesy of Sarah Heaton)

The Canada Day Parade through the downtown went ahead as scheduled.

It’s not the first time weather played havoc with a celebration in the city this year.

The Long John Jamboree had to be moved to the Multiplex in March after mild temperatures melted snow and ice on Yellowknife Bay.

About the Author

John McFadden
John has been in the broadcast journalism industry since the 1980s. He has been a reporter in Yellowknife since 2012 and joined CKLB in January of 2018. John covers the crime and court beat as well as reporting on other areas including politics, business, entertainment and sports. He won seven national community newspaper awards while he was a journalist with Northern News Services Limited (NNSL). John worked in Ontario before coming North including stints as a TV sportscaster in Peterborough and senior news writer for CBC and CTV in downtown Toronto.