Latest news with #festivities
CTV News
2 days ago
- Automotive
- CTV News
‘A family day out': Rock 102 festivities showcase downtown Saskatoon
Thousands of people enjoyed the festivities in downtown Saskatoon over the weekend, thanks to Rock 102 FM's Show & Shine weekend. Hundreds of vehicles were showcased across 14 city blocks as part of the downtown car show. 'We've got vendors, we've got lots of local businesses. And the coolest thing about this is it's a family day out. Growing up, my dad would bring me to Show & Shine, and we'd look at every single car, and I can see so many little families doing the exact same thing,' Rock 102 Morning show host, Sheri Ebert said. The Rock 102 Show & Shine has been held annually in Saskatoon since 1982, drawing in thousands of car enthusiasts from across the province. The car show is one of the largest in Western Canada. 'It's a great weekend that really shows how Saskatoon just shines. And there's a beautiful city with Rock the River,' Rock 102 Morning show host, Woody said. Rock 102 festivities showcase downtown Saskatoon (Hallee Mandryk/CTV News) The event runs alongside Rock the River, a rock music festival hosted in Saskatoon's Bessborough Gardens. Rock the River is going on its 11th year, and one organizer shared that it has been a welcomed addition to the Show & Shine weekend. 'It's just one of those magical places to be able to have the backdrop of the hotel and really have people experience music in the setting. The bands rave about it. They always want to come back. Just such a beautiful place to have a show,' CEO of SaskTel Centre, John Howden said. On both Saturday and Sunday, folks had the opportunity to check out the car show during the earlier half of the day, which wrapped up just in time for the beginning of Rock the River. 'We have such a loyal following of people that come back year after year. They come into the city from all over Western Canada. They book up all the hotels downtown and they just have such a fun time,' Howden said.
The Sun
3 days ago
- The Sun
I visited Christmassy Lapland in the middle of summer – with reindeer rides & Santa meet-and-greets in 27C temperatures
IT may sound jolly odd, but Santa is a hot attraction for the summer. 'Welcome to Lapland,' says the Uber driver as he flashes a smile. 6 6 It's mid-July, and I've arrived at 'the official home of Santa Claus'. I'd heard whispers about Rovaniemi's summer scene, but I hadn't quite realised how passionately the city upholds its year-round festivities. My first stop is the Santa Claus Village — an immersive Christmassy epicentre north of the Finnish city centre. If it sounds bizarre, it certainly feels it. On the drive to the village, I watch bikini-clad crowds weaving through Rovaniemi's streets towards the Rovaniemen Uimaranta — a sandy beach on the banks of the River Kemijoki. It's 27C and summer is underway. Yet the signs of the city's festive subculture are unmissable. Free-roaming reindeer sunbathe next to roadsides, and we whizz past a barbershop named 'Santa Hair'. I'm basked in sunshine as I step into Santa Claus Village, a collection of red-painted alpine buildings amid fir and pine trees. Aside from Santa meet-and-greets, there's the functioning Main Post Office, Santa's Pets and Arctic Circle Husky Park. With free entrance, you can explore at your own pace. It's not the lack of snow that strikes me first, but the absence of crowds. Rather than hordes of thermal-clad tourists, there's a summery serenity in the air. In the main square, residents casually cross the white line that marks the official Arctic Circle boundary — accompanied by plodding dogs on leads. Last December, there was a three-hour waitlist to begin queuing to see Santa Claus, now I watch a young family walk straight in. Ignorance is bliss and I've decided I'm too anxious to discover if I'm on the 'naughty or nice' list. Instead, I'm focused on meeting some of the four-legged helpers. I dash towards the reindeer, where visitors are promised intimate hand-feeding encounters. Elves serve ice cream Summer is a special season for the reindeer. Their antlers are at their largest and most of the females have calves at foot. Adjoining the reindeer pen is the home of another Christmas celebrity: Mrs Claus. 6 6 6 Her lodge is set back from the main walkway and if everyone else is aware that it's July, the elves in charge of decor have not got the memo. A floor-to-ceiling Christmas tree glistens in the corner, while beaming elves serve ice cream and pastries. 'When people visit in winter, I always tell them to visit in summer,' says Mrs Claus, in a lilting voice with a twinkle in her eye. She spins a rhythmical tale: Summers spent swimming, fishing for salmon ('Santa's favourite') and picking blueberries to incorporate into her baking. The thawing of the forest shapes the activities that Santa Claus Village has on offer, though not as dramatically as you might expect. Inside the Post Office, the elves still stamp and mail letters, sorting selected letters into a designated post box marked 'December 2025'. The Husky Park welcomes tourists to play with puppies or take rides on wheeled sledges adapted for snowless conditions. While trainers replace clunky snowshoes for walks along forest trails. Christmas isn't a season, but a mindset.
CBC
4 days ago
- General
- CBC
National Acadian Day 'literally like Christmas' for P.E.I.'s francophone community
Aug. 15 marks National Acadian Day, and francophones in the province celebrated in a big way across the Island. CBC's Laura Meader attended some of the festivities in Charlottetown to find out more.
Yahoo
12-08-2025
- Yahoo
Police reveal number of arrests over Manchester Caribbean Carnival weekend
Police have confirmed the number of arrests made over Caribbean Carnival weekend after a 'small minority' were suspected of breaking the law. Officers patrolled Alexandra Park and Moss Side for the popular two-day event, which saw thousands of people enjoy the festivities on Saturday and Sunday (August 9 and 10). Greater Manchester Police says its teams were 'on hand where necessary' across both days - from the joyous parade to the bustling after-parties which line the streets. READ MORE: Police issue update after shop worker stabbed in Moss Side street READ MORE: Tesco is selling its own fleece-lined version of a Dryrobe that costs £116 less This year's carnival theme was 'unity', with the event celebrating the strength, diversity and togetherness of Manchester's many communities. Never miss a story with the MEN's daily Catch Up newsletter - get it in your inbox by signing up here Police chiefs had issued a warning in the days leading up to the festival, insisting that 'any form of crime will not be tolerated'. In a statement issued this morning (Tuesday), GMP confirmed that 26 people were arrested on suspicion of various offences around the carnival, a 'small minority' of the anticipated crowd of 60,000 for the festivities. Those offences included possession of drugs and weapons, drink-driving and affray. They also included the stabbing of a 51-year-old man on Princess Road on Sunday night, outside the Richie and Nickie Liquor Store. A 54-year-old woman was arrested and remains in custody this morning. The victim's injuries are not thought to be life-threatening. GMP also worked with partners behind the scenes in an operation which led to a fall in the number of unlicensed stalls in the area, and a decline in the use of nitrous oxide, which is now a class C drug. Assistant Chief Constable Rick Jackson said: 'Through dedicated work with partners, we put in a robust operation to ensure that we were there to intervene where necessary, and maintain a safe and enjoyable environment for those in attendance. Join the Manchester Evening News WhatsApp group HERE "The overwhelming majority of those who took part in the carnival did so peacefully and with respect of those around them. "While a minority of people took part in suspected criminality, we were able to quickly respond and take the appropriate action. "We will continue to work with partners and will begin to look ahead to how we can further work together for next year's carnival."
UAE Moments
10-08-2025
- Entertainment
- UAE Moments
Expo City Draws Massive Crowds for Pakistan's Independence Day
Expo City Dubai turned into a sea of green and white on Sunday as tens of thousands of Pakistanis from across the UAE gathered to mark their nation's 78th Independence Day in what organisers call the biggest celebration of its kind in the world. Crowds travelled from Abu Dhabi to the Northern Emirates, flocking to the Dubai Exhibition Centre for the day-long festivities. The program — set to run until midnight — features a star-studded lineup including Pakistani music icon Sahir Ali Bagga, acclaimed Sufi rock singer Natasha Baig, and celebrated storyteller Yousuf Bashir Qureshi. Adding to the vibrant atmosphere are folk performances, cultural exhibitions, art displays, and traditional food stalls, showcasing Pakistan's rich heritage and the enduring friendship between Pakistan and the UAE. A Record-Breaking Celebration 'This will be the biggest Pakistan Independence Day celebration in the world,' said Ambassador Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, Pakistan's Envoy to the UAE. 'Over 60,000 people have already registered to participate in this mega event. Artists, performers, and singers from Pakistan, representing all four provinces along with Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu & Kashmir, will showcase Pakistan's diverse cultural heritage through music, dance, cuisine, and traditional attire.' Last year's event at Dubai World Trade Centre drew 15,000 attendees, prompting organisers to move to a much larger venue this year to accommodate the overwhelming interest. Organisers & Support The celebration is spearheaded by Emirates Loves Pakistan, a platform dedicated to highlighting the success stories of the Pakistani community in the UAE, in collaboration with the Pakistan Association Dubai (PAD) and with support from Dubai Police. To ensure smooth logistics, hundreds of volunteers are on-site, managing crowd flow, directing visitors to designated parking areas, and assisting those arriving via public transport. A Community United Hussain Muhammad, Consul General of Pakistan in Dubai, praised the organisers for their efforts and acknowledged the 1.7 million-strong Pakistani diaspora in the UAE for their contributions to the nation's growth. He also urged the community to 'continue observing local laws, respecting the norms and policies of the host country.' With music, food, and cultural pride filling the air, the event stands as a testament to the deep-rooted ties between Pakistan and the UAE, while giving the younger generation a reason to celebrate their heritage in style.
