The City of Kingston is welcoming the public to celebrate the Sir John A. Macdonald Bicentennial here in his hometown of Kingston
A number of events are planned throughout Sir John A.’s birthday weekend, beginning with the Empire Life Great Debate. Hosted at the Grand Theatre on Friday, January 9, the Honourable Chris Alexander and The Honourable Bob Rae will debate the question “Was Sir John A. Macdonald Canada’s Greatest Prime Minister?”
Moderated by Steve Paikin and sponsored by Empire Life, the debate begins at 7:30 pm and tickets are available through the Grand Theatre Box Office at 218 Princess St., by phone at 613-530-2050 or online at kingstongrand.ca.
On Saturday, January 10, a fireworks display will take place over Confederation Basin on Kingston’s waterfront at 6 p.m. an hour before the puck drops at the Kingston Frontenacs game being held at the nearby Rogers K-Rock Centre.
Kingston Mayor Bryan Paterson will formally welcome the public to the festivities from the steps of Kingston City Hall National Historic Site at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, January 11.
The brief ceremony will be attended by a quarter guard from the Canadian Forces Joint Signal Regiment from CFB Kingston, which is likewise marking its own Centenary by participating in a number of similar events. The Regiment will be in attendance as the quarter guard for the Mayor’s speech, along with music from the Regimental Band of the Governor General’s Foot Guards and a number of other special guests.
Following the welcome ceremony, the Manulife Bicentennial Birthday Bash will be held in City Hall’s Memorial Room from 2 to 4 p.m.
Visitors can enjoy treats and entertainment at the bash sponsored by ManuLife, while learning about the City’s plans for 2015 and participate in a coin exchange – featuring the special Sir John A. Macdonald Bicentennial-commemorative circulation coin – hosted by the Royal Canadian Mint.
To find out more about the City of Kingston’s celebration of the Sir John A. Macdonald Bicentennial, visit CityofKingston.ca/SirJohnA and canadacomeshome.ca.
If you plan to travel to the events by bus, check out Kingston Transit’s TripPlanner for route information.
Photo source: Wikimedia Commons
