Kirkland Lake Homecoming Week
set for July 1-5

Homecoming Pub

Downloadable Schedule

The Kirkland Lake Festivals Committee has a week of events planned for July 1-5 for Kirkland Lake’s Homecoming Week. The highlight of the week will be the Homecoming Pub featuring Canadian Music Hall of Fame member Tom Cochrane with Red Rider and special guest Serena Ryder on Saturday, July 4 at the complex.

Cochrane has received numerous Juno Awards and SOCAN songwriting awards. Last year he was invested as an officer of the Order of Canada, the highest honour a Canadian can receive. He also has an honourary doctorate from the University of Manitoba and is an honourary Colonel in the Canadian Air Force.

Cochrane’s body of work includes 17 albums and the hits Life Is A Highway, Lunatic Fringe, The Boy Inside The Man, I Wish You Well, No Regrets, White Hot and Sinking Like A Sunset. Cochrane’s last album, No Stranger, was released in 2006, the same year Rascal Flatts topped the charts with a cover of his song Life Is A Highway.

Serena Ryder is a native of Millbrook, Ontario. The 26 year old singer possesses a powerful three-octave range. She won the Best New Artist honours at the 2008 Juno Awards for her album “If Your Memory Serves You” which included her hit “Weak In The Knees.” Her current album, “Is It O.K.” earned her a Juno Award earlier this year for Adult Alternative Album of the Year. The song “Little Bit of Red” is currently riding the Canadian charts.

Early bird tickets for the Homecoming Pub are $35 advance and are on sale at BB&J’s in Kirkland Lake, Garland’s in Englehart and Robertson’s in New Liskeard. Ticket prices will rise to $45 before the concert. The event is for 19 years of age and older.

Free Canada Day Concert

The Kirkland Lake Festivals Committee has announced the line-up of tribute bands performing at this summer’s free Canada Day concert at the Civic Service Stadium as part of the annual Kirkland Lake Homecoming Week.

The Canada Day line-up will begin with a live tribute to The Jonas Brothers and Miley Cyrus/Hannah Montana at 2 pm, followed by a Coldplay tribute at 4 pm and a tribute to The Eagles at 6 pm. The Festivals Committee and Last Chance Liquidation will present Canada Day fireworks at dusk.

As part of the celebrations at civic, free kids inflatables will be available throughout the afternoon. There will be several concession stands onsite and the beer gardens will be open throughout the day and into the evening.

Illusionist Brian Michaels

The Festivals Committee and Kinsmen Club will be presenting one of Canada’s finest illusionists during Homecoming Week. Brian Michaels is set to perform in the auditorium at Northern College on Thursday, July 2.

Michaels is a two-time Canadian Entertainer of the Year winner and established a national following when he toured with Celine Dion as her opening act. His interactive show is a high-energy one hour performance featuring state-of-the-art illusions suitable for all ages.

Tickets for the July 2 show will be $10 advance or $15 at the door and go on sale on Friday, May 22 at BB&J’s in downtown Kirkland Lake. The event is the latest addition to the 2009 Kirkland Lake Homecoming Week schedule the Festivals Committee is organizing.

Drive-In Movies
There will be two drive-in movies as part of the 2009 Kirkland Lake Homecoming schedule. The KL Festivals Committee will present Ghostbusters on Thursday, July 2 and the original Planet of the Apes on Friday, July 3. Drive-in tickets are $20 per vehicle and go on sale at BB&J’s in downtown Kirkland Lake beginning May 22.

Free Matinees:
The Festivals Committee is presenting 2 free kids matinees as part of the 2009 Kirkland Lake Homecoming week featuring the animated 3D film “Monsters vs Aliens” on Saturday, July 3rd & Sunday, July 4th at 2 pm at the Lasalle Theatre in Kirkland Lake.

Homecoming Super Men’s Night:
The Kirkland Lake Golf Club will host a Homecoming Super Men’s Night on Friday, July 3rd with a shotgun start at 2 pm. The format is an 18-hole two-man scramble with steak dinner to follow. Cost is $50 per team. Contact the pro shop to register at (705)642-3456. There is a limit of 36 two-man teams.

Homecoming Men’s Luncheon:
Featuring a roast of Kirkland Lake Mayor Bill Enouy at Hockey Heritage North on Thursday, July 2 beginning at Noon. Tickets are $20 and are available at Hockey Heritage North and BB&J’s.

Club Listings:
As part of Homecoming Week, the Bellevue Tavern has a week of live entertainment planned including Kirkland Lake’s own James Taylor on Tuesday, June 30th. Jennifer Plummer & Paul DiSalle will perform at the Bellevue on Friday, July 3.

Toburn Mine Open House
The Toburn Mine Operating Authority is hosting an open house on Friday, July 3 from 11 am-7 pm featuring guided geological tours of Kirkland Lake, a Toburn alumni reunion including guest of honour George Tough, an art exhibition and sale, a rock sale, gold panning, food concessions and more.

Extendicare Events:
Extendicare will host a Family BBQ on Thursday, July 2 beginning at 5 pm. The event is free to family members. There will also be a free Homecoming Tea on Saturday, July 4 from 2-4 pm that is open to everyone.

Additional Events
There are several additional Homecoming Week events being announced in the coming weeks by the Festivals Committee and other local organizations. Visit the coming events page www.klfestivals.com/Coming-Events.html for more details and ticket information on Homecoming events. Groups and clubs wishing to have their events added to the schedule can email the Festivals Committee at klfestivals@hotmail.com