Saturday, June 29 will be an unforgettable day in New York’s Central Park – with a free celebration of Canada’s best entertainment, sport and food. For the first time, Canada Day International, the organizers behind the hugely successful Canada Day London present Canada Day New York, a day-long festival with Canadian music legends Spirit of the West and Joel Plaskett joining award-winning electro-rock sensation LIGHTS on the main stage at Rumsey Playfield.
The event also features a special culinary program centered around the Great Canadian Picnic, a celebration of Canada’s birthday that brings New Yorkers together to eat, learn and linger over samples of the best of Canadian artisanal foods.
The Great Canadian Picnic
Canada Day New York, Canadian specialty food producers, culinary and media personalities, and Perfect Picnic NYC welcome New Yorkers to an inaugural al fresco meet-up picnic-fashion in Central Park June 29. Showcasing the best of culinary Canada, the Great Canadian Picnic welcomes everyone to a special gathering in the afternoon of June 29.
Co-hosted by Canada Day New York and Perfect Picnic NYC, speciality Canadian picnic and culinary items will be available free with suggested $5 donations to support relief efforts for victims in Calgary, Alberta.
Bring a blanket and pack some treats and loved ones to gather on the grass to celebrate all things Canada. Sample goodies by local chefs and restaurants.
Also served at the park are delicacies from Mile End Deli as well as Alchemy Creamery’s custom Canada Day creation (a maple flavour) in a signature push-pop “magic wand,” Fixation (chocolate chai), and Apple Cinnamon created especially for Canada Day New York.
Given Canada is an inspired backdrop for dining outdoors – from the Rocky Mountains to the Toronto Islands to the Prince Edward Island beaches – Canada Day International is delighted to invite New York to a Canadiana picnic in the park with engaging Canadian culinary personality Joshna Maharaj from Toronto, Ontario. The Canadian food activist and journalist hosts the afternoon with tips on great dishes to pack and share outdoors. She will be demonstrating her favourite potato salad recipe. A special guest presenter is Noah Bernamoff, founder of Mile End Delicatessen.
Canada Day International Executive Director Chad Molleken says, “We are delighted to invite New York to a special picnic meet-up in the park with proceeds supporting Calgary and the New York Food Bank.”
ENTERTAINMENT
The concert is produced by Canada Day International as part of the SummerStage Performing Arts Festival presented by AT&T. New Yorkers can look forward to a great show as one of the CBC’s most popular personalities, George Stroumboulopoulos, hosts back-to-back festivals in New York and in London, England. CBC is the official media partner for Canada Day International 2013. This year Canadians around the world will be able to share in the excitement and enjoy our live Canada Day concert in Central Park.
“The partnership with Canada Day International is an incredible opportunity for Canada’s public broadcaster to expand its Canada Day programming with the inclusion of these amazing international celebrations,” said Neil McEneaney, Interim Executive Vice-President, English Services, CBC. “It will be a nation building moment that will resonate especially now as Canadians start looking forward to Canada’s 150th birthday celebrations in 2017.”
With support from Presenting Sponsor BlackBerry, Canada Day New York promises to celebrate all things Canadian in the heart of New York City. The daytime festivities will take place at the Naumberg Bandshell in Central Park. Highlights include the Canada Day International Summer Classic Street Hockey Tournament in association with Five Hole for Food, photo opportunities with members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and – a Taste of Canada food festival featuring the Great Canadian Picnic.
