An extended run for Canada Day London

One of London’s most exciting free public events has this year been extended to a 2-day spectacular. Canada Day 2008, in association with Alberta… a Canadian Affair, hosts the biggest party ever in Trafalgar Square with a free live concert on the evening of 30th June and events throughout the day on 1st July.

Celebrating all that is great about Canada, audiences will be able to sample the best of this exciting country’s music, culture, technology, tourism and sport. Says Jason Pollock, Festival Director, “Canada has such a lot to offer. This two-day festival lets Londoners experience a microcosm of the country. Visitors to the festival will certainly not be disappointed!”

The atmosphere will be electric on the evening of June 30th as Canada Rocks Trafalgar Square. The free concert night for Londoners, presented by Alberta…A Canadian Affair kicks off at 8.00pm to an audience of 7,000 ticket holders (for a chance to win tickets see canadadaylondon.com terms and conditions apply, see online for details).

The acclaimed Kathleen Edwards will headline an exclusive concert night, performing hit songs from her new album Asking for Flowers (awarded four stars by Rolling Stone magazine). Playing the stage as well are Canada’s chart topping rock band, The Trews, the country’s favourite award winning Nuevo Flamenco guitarist, the multi-talented Jesse Cook and Celtic roots band The McDades. With gates opening at 6.00pm Canada Rocks Trafalgar Square until 11.00pm.

This free entry, exclusive, ticketed concert is being staged by the Canadian province of Alberta and leading UK tour operator Canadian Affair, and promises to be a great way to spend a summer evening in London, relaxing and enjoying some of Canada’s best new musical talent.

On Canada Day itself, July 1st, the Square will be open for business from 11.00am when the free festival begins with preliminary rounds of Canada’s world famous fast and furious street hockey. This ‘must see’ sport is guaranteed to bring more that just a few thrills and spills as teams compete throughout the day for the coveted Trafalgar Cup.

Throughout the square visitors will experience diverse aspects of Canada and Canadian life. On the west side, Alberta, home of the Canadian Rockies, hosts a chill-out Pavillion. Step in for a relaxing massage or a breath of fresh air at Alberta’s exclusive oxygen bar.

A Taste of Ontario, across the square, will allow visitors to sample some culinary delights imported from Toronto and surrounding areas. Meanwhile, the Canadian Pavilion on the north terrace will help people decide which of Canada's stunning provinces they would like to see.

For those looking for laughter, Québec, and its partners Tourism Montréal and the Just for Laughs Festival present a day of laughter and fun with Canadian comedians performing live throughout the day in the Québec Fun Pavilion on Trafalgar Square’s North Terrace.

Between the frenetic bouts of hockey relaxing sounds from more Canadian musical talent unplugged will be the order of the day. As the evening draws on, the Square takes on a different vibe as Canada pumps up the volume again for another free, but non-ticketed, night of music and entertainment for lucky Londoners, with much more from the country’s truly talented new recording artists. The action for Tuesday night keeps on going until 10.30pm.

For a chance to win free tickets to Canada Rocks Trafalgar Square on 30th June go to the website: Canadadaylondon.com.