What quacks like a duck and speeds like a soapbox? Must be Canada Day in Centre Wellington

CENTRE WELLINGTON – Centre Wellington Township and its community partners are offering the tried and true Canada Day celebrations again this year on July 1.

There will be food, fireworks, a parade, and yes, the much-loved soap box derby.

Whether you’re starting your morning with pancakes or ending the night under the fireworks, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Here’s what you can look forward to.

Pancake breakfast

Start your day with a delicious breakfast hosted by the Elora Volunteer Firefighters Association at 1 MacDonald Square, Elora — from 7 to 11am.

Bring your appetite for this delicious spread.

Soap box derby

Then it’s time to clear the tracks for the soap box derby. Cheer on local racers in this exciting and family-friendly event hosted by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Centre Wellington (BBBS).

The race starts at David and Geddes streets, Elora  and runs from 8 to 11am.

Geddes Street is the “race track” and it will be closed to normal traffic.

Check-in time is 7:30am.

Officials with BBBS say participants should line up soap boxes in the parking lot behind the TD bank. Motorized vehicles must find parking away from the site.

Safety inspections start at 8am and the first race starts at 8:30am. 

Racers must pre-register in one of four categories:

– junior ages 6 to 9 (wheels must enter less than 10 inches);

– senior ages 10 to 16. Wheels under 10 inches in diameter;

– junior ages 6 to 9 (wheels over 10 inches in diameter); and

– senior ages 10 to 16. Wheels over 10 inches.

Registration is $15 per racer. Racers must be able to stop their car using their brakes and steer their soap box car. This is gravity racing. No other form of motive power is allowed.

To read all the regulations and to register for the race, visit centrewellington.bigbrothersbigsisters.ca/2026-canada-day-soap-box-2.

Dominion Day parade

Celebrate community pride at this beloved annual tradition, organized by Rotary Volunteers in Action (CW).

The parade kicks off at 11am from the Jefferson Elora Community Centre, heads south on Geddes Street, south on Metcalfe, east on Mill Street East and finishes at Bissell Park. Donations to the Centre Wellington Food Bank are welcome along the route.

Registration is required for this event, visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdKh64Vc0icWWRBl56-stK5ZuOIp9UFmaXtX-jySvKu-omF7Q/viewform.

Have questions? Email rotary.viacw@gmail.com.

Free hot dog lunch

The food isn’t over folks.

Following the parade, enjoy a complimentary lunch at Bissell Park from noon to 1pm hosted by the Elora Lions. 

This community favourite is made possible with support from Geddes Street Market.

Duck race

Don’t miss this crowd favourite. Hosted by the Community Resource Centre, the duck race begins at 1:30pm at Bissell Park.

How it works:

– purchase any amount of lucky rubber ducks, cost is $5;

– once payment is made, you will receive an email with your duck number(s);

– at 1:30pm on July 1st, all purchased ducks will be dropped into the Grand River at Bissell Park and swim to the finish line.

At about 1:45pm the first-, second- and third-place winners will be announced.

Organizers will contact the winners by phone and the winning duck numbers will also be posted on the resource centre’s social media accounts, as well as on communityresourcecentre.org.

First place prize is a $500 Elora Home Hardware gift certificate, second place prize is a $250 gift card from Zehrs, and third place prize is a $100+ local experience.

For more information visit communityresourcecentre.org/the-duck-race-at-bissel-park.

Evening celebrations in Fergus

But that’s not all.

Celebrations move to the Centre Wellington Community Sportsplex in Fergus, where, from 7 to 9:30pm, there will be live entertainment, cultural performances, face painting, arts and crafts, henna tattoos, tasty food trucks, and Canada-themed ice cream, brought to you by Rotary Volunteers in Action (CW).

And when it gets dark, around 9:30pm, the township will let off a fireworks display.

More details and updates can be found at centrewellington.ca/explore-cw/canada-day as July 1 approaches.