Canada Day festivities have been coordinated between Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows so that dignitaries have time to attend both events, which will be highlighting Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee.

Pitt Meadows will have its official ceremonies at 10:30 a.m. and Maple Ridge will have its at 12:30 a.m.

But the action starts much earlier than that.

In Pitt Meadows, the Lions Club start the day off with a pancake breakfast from 8 to 10 a.m.

Athletes in Kind holds its annual Canada Day races with the children’s races and an eight-kilometre race for all participants.

The one-kilometre kids race starts at 8:30 a.m. for children nine and younger, and the two-kilometre race begins at the same time for children 10 to 13 years old.

The eight-kilometre race begins at 9 a.m.

Registration is online at www.athletesinkind.com and closes at midnight on Friday, June 29. The cost is $40 for the eight-kilometre race and $10 for the one- and two-kilometre races. All the races leave from in front of City hall.

Previous Canada Day races have raised about $8,500, but organizer Lorie Muller said: “We always hope for a $10,000 race.”

Athletes in Kind raises about $25,000 to $30,000 per year for B.C. Childhood Cancer Parents Association

For more information, contact race director Eric Muller at ericmuller@shaw.ca or 604-465-4787.

There will be a parade leading up to the official Canada Day ceremonies in Pitt Meadows at 10:25 a.m. at which time skydivers will descend.

The 10:30 a.m. official Canada Day ceremonies will include a tribute to Pitt Meadows’ Citizen of the Year Dolores Lutner, speeches by dignitaries, and youth awards.

After the official ceremonies, there will be a decorated bike parade with prizes.

The stage will be full of entertainment starting at 8 a.m. with Kokoma African Dance Workshop, and ending with Monkey Fist from 1:30 to 2:15 p.m.

Other activities include demonstrations by Yuen’s Martial Arts, a Dutch game, Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee booth, bingo, life-sized Scrabble, and Canadian Trivia.

Two 4-H clubs will also have displays and the Lamb and Swine Club will be selling hotdogs as a fundraiser.

Maple Ridge celebrations include a Royal Tea and a Prince and Princess Parade to commemorate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

Celebrations run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Memorial Peace Park.

Official ceremonies begin at 12:30 p.m. with dignitaries.

An hour later, the Prince and Princess Parade will go around the ring road of Memorial Peace Park at 1:30 p.m.

The Royal Tea Party takes place at The ACT from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. – admission is $2.

Other activities at the Maple Ridge Canada Day festivities include children’s games, a multicultural food fair, music, entertainment, and a cake.

The entertainment from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Memorial Peace Park includes Confidance, Monkey Fist, Young People’s Opera Society, Tequila Cowboy, Maple Ridge Dance Circle, and Brick Yard.

After the official ceremony and the parade, the entertainment continues at 2:30 p.m. with Vazzy, Spirit of the Pacific, and The Crayons.

Haney House at 11612 224th St. in Maple Ridge will hold its annual children’s carnival on Canada Day from 1 to 4 p.m. There will be dress-up clothes and goodies for the children and refreshments. Tours of Haney House will be taking place throughout the event. Everything is by donation.