Kitimat will start it's July 1 celebration bright and early when the Kiwanis fire up the grills for their traditional - and delicious - pancake breakfast.

And that will signal more than 16 hours of events as the community once again stages the biggest birthday bash in the Northwest.

The breakfast wraps up at 11 a.m., still leaving its last customers lots of time to get in position to enjoy the big parade.

The highlight of every Canada Day, the parade is once again being organized by the Kinsmen and will again start at Mountainview Square then following Tsimshian, Haisla and Kuldo on its way to Riverlodge.

This the fifteenth consecutive year the Kinsmen have organized the parade and this year the theme  is ‘Building the Future’.

Spectators can be sure of a colourful and imaginative show as floats, bikes, horses and marching groups vie for the awards that will be handed out once it’s all over.

By which time you’ll probably be ready to eat again, and the International Food Fair offers just what you need.

The array of ethnic delicacies available - reflecting the multicultural character of Kitimat - has rightly made this event famous.

But leave room for a piece of the giant birthday cake offered by the Girl Guides Trefoil Guild which can be found in the Riverlodge gym.

Now settle back and enjoy a stage show featuring numerous talented entertainers from the area, including singers, musicians and dancers.

The stage show program also takes time to honour and recognize individuals and groups for community service and achievements at provincial, national and international levels in sports and the arts.

There’s also lots to keep the kids entertained with the Humane Society’s duck pond, fish pond and darts and balloons - that gets underway at 1 p.m. while inside Riverlodge you’ll find the Kids Fun Zone, including face painting, balloons, clowns and tons of  prizes.

And, weather permitting, the Kitimat 4H club will be offering pony ride from 1:30 p.m. until 5 p.m.

For a ride of a completely different kind, Canadian Helicopters will once again be offering a bird’s eye view of Kitimat and the valley beginning at 1 p.m.

Or, if you’re a car buff, head back to Tamitik for the 6th annual Show and Shine where some of the community’s most eye-catching vehicles will be on view from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m.

Poker faces might also want to head for the City Centre Mall for the Texas Hold ‘Em Charity Poker Tournament.

It runs during mall opening hours and will be raising money for the Food bank.

Incidentally, rather than battle the traffic, why not grab a city bus for those trips - everyone rides for free from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.

And the day will wind up as usual with an explosive fireworks finale.

All in all it’s easy to see why Kitimat is the place to be on Canada Day.