Regina announces New Year's Eve celebration to kick-off Canada's 150th anniversary

Regina’s New Year’s Eve party has been 150 years in the making.

The city will play host to a variety of activities on Dec. 31 to help kickoff the celebration for Canada’s 150th anniversary.

The celebration will be held at the Conexus Arts centre, Wascana Centre and Saskatchewan Science Centre throughout the day and the day will end with a fireworks display.

“We take time to look at the past where we come from and look to the future where we will be going,” Regina Mayor Michael Fougere said. “We have a wonderful country and we should be celebrating our birthday.”

The celebration will be free for families to enjoy, thanks to funding from the federal government. Last week, it was announced the province will receive $2.7 million dollars for the many different projects taking place in celebration of Canada’s anniversary. The City of Regina is receiving $150,000 for the New Year’s Eve kick-off.

“I think each and every one of us would feel really sad and sorry if a family said ‘we would love to have come but we couldn’t afford it,’” Saskatchewan MLA Laura Ross said.

Neil Donnelly, CEO of the Conexus Arts Centre, said the many different activities are for all ages so no one feels excluded. He also said the activities will be done in time for people to get to their other New Year’s Eve parties.

“We wanted something to appeal to as many people as possible,” Donnelly said.