A tornado warning and thunderstorm at around noon on Saturday managed to force the cancellation of the parade as Elliot Lake celebrated its Uranium Heritage Days.
However, the brief rain event wasn’t enough to force cancelling other events on the Canada Day long weekend as an extreme heat wave blanketed the area.
Indeed, the heat probably resulted in record numbers attending Sunday’s Beach Party at Spruce Beach to cool off in the lake, play games, enjoy food and refreshments or just to sit out and sunbathe.
Saturday’s rain and wind that forced organizers to cancel the ever-popular parade cleared for the Lions Western Jamboree at the Collins Hall where a steady crowd enjoyed music and a barbecue put on by the local Lions Club.
Also featured at the Collins Hall was a car show featuring vintage and newer sports vehicles and classics.
In the evening, there was a street dance with four bands, including Celine Tellier and her band and Credence Clearwater Revival tribute band Green River Revival. It’s estimated about 2,500 people attended the dance, although specific ticket sale numbers were not available at press time.
The beach party on Sunday saw kids lined up to get a piece of a Canadian flag-decorated cake served up by Mayor Dan Marchisella and Councillor Sandy Finamore.
The swim area was packed with bathers seeking relief from the heat.
The weekend events culminated Monday with the Algoma Paddlers from Blind River providing their 36-foot Montreal canoe for rides to visitors at Spine Beach.
Rounding out Monday’s events will be the Stage Door Players who will put on a free show at the Civic Centre set to begin at 7 p.m.