Petrolia's Canada Day festivities will include traditional family-fun activities, along with a new inflatable costume race.
Director of Parks, Recreation and Facilities Julie Bullock said July 1 is typically super busy in Petrolia.
"We always start out with our Kids Fishing Derby, that starts at 7 a.m. and then you can move on from there and do any number of activities. There's a scavenger hunt," she said. "This year, for the first time we are trying an inflatable costume race... that'll be at Greenwood Park at 4 p.m."
Bullock said traditionally, the town has held bed races but they wanted to try something different.
"I think we've all seen funny videos of people in those inflatable races so we thought, let's give it a try," she said.
Free activities will be held throughout the day at the Petrolia YMCA and the Greenwood Recreation Centre, where people can rollerblade or roller-skate from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m.
Bullock said most activities will be free, one of the exceptions is the pancake breakfast organized by the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 216. Breakfast will be served at the legion on Glenview Road from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. for $10 per person (children under the age of seven can eat for free).
The Legion's annual flag-raising ceremony will then be held at 11 a.m.
Residents are welcome to watch a couple of ball games as well. Petrolia’s Challenger (Black Top) Baseball Team, involving people of all abilities, will challenge Lambton EMS, Lambton OPP and the Petrolia and North Enniskillen Fire Department to a softball game at Greenwood Park (diamond 2), beginning at 1 p.m.
At 2 p.m., the Petrolia Raiders Men's hardball team will take on the Wyoming Senior Cattlebarons at Morrison Field in Greenwood Park (diamond 1).
Beginning at 3 p.m., bouncy castles, games, vendors, and live music will be set up at Greenwood Park.
Fireworks will begin at dusk.
Langs Bus Lines will provide free shuttle service, stopping at various locations, starting at 6 p.m.
Further details about the Canada Day schedule and shuttle locations can be found on Petrolia's website or the town's Facebook page.
In Lambton Shores, games, music and cake will be had at the Port Franks Community Centre from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.
The Forest Kiwanis and Forest Firemen's Association is hosting celebrations at the Elsi Dodge Conservation Area from 5 p.m. until dusk complete with live music, food booths, inflatables and fireworks.
Grand Bend will celebrate the country's birthday with live music beginning at 1 p.m. Tuesday on the Grand Bend Rotary Community Stage. Southwestern Ontario's largest Canada Day fireworks display is set for just before 10 p.m.