Rotary Club, Lions Club to host Canada Day festivities in Fernie for next 3 years

The City of Fernie is handing over Canada Day plans to a couple of local organizations for a few years in light of their success in 2025.

Council approved a contract with the Fernie Rotary and Lions Clubs at the meeting on Tuesday (Apr. 14), allowing them to deliver and build on Canada Day celebrations for three years.

City-held festivities have been declining in size and scope in recent years due to fewer volunteers, reduced resources and funding cuts. 

That is, until 2025, when the Rotary Club led a large-scale celebration more akin to the City’s earlier efforts.

“Needless to say, the last Canada Day was one of the best I have seen in the 16 years that I’ve lived in this town,” said Councillor Harsh Ramadass. “Just the fact that five organizations can come together and put up something that remarkable. […] it’s just been an incredible achievement.”

Roughly 2,500 people showed up for the event, with more than 60 volunteers contributing over 1,700 hours to put it together.

As a result, the Rotary Club and the Lions Club have asked to continue hosting Canada Day activities, with an annual funding request of $10,000, increasing by three per cent each year, plus $4,000 in-kind support.

The motion was unanimously approved and will be in effect from 2026 to 2028.