Queen City Digest
Regina's friendly local roundup | Wednesday, July 1, 2026
Happy Canada Day, Regina! 👋
Today marks Canada's 159th birthday, and the Queen City is doing it right. Wascana Centre has been prepping for weeks, the forecast is looking good, and there's a full day of programming ahead before the sky lights up tonight.
Alongside the celebrations, there's real news to share this week too: fresh transit help for local students, some roster moves for two of our home teams, and a countdown to one of Regina's favourite late-summer traditions.
In today's edition:
🎆 Canada Day in Regina — everything happening at Wascana today
🚌 Regina's free transit pilot is continuing for Johnson Collegiate students
🏒 The Pats add three new players through the CHL import draft
🏈 Daniel Wiebe scores his first CFL touchdown in his pro debut
❤️ The countdown is on for I Love Regina Day
📅 Your full events guide for July 1 to 3
📰 News & Community
🎆 CANADA DAY
Wascana Centre Is the Place to Be Today for Canada's 159th Birthday
Regina's Canada Day celebration kicks off this morning at Wascana Centre with a pancake breakfast at 8:30, and the programming runs all day from there. Expect Food Truck Alley and The Market from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., opening ceremonies at noon, the RPL Family Fun Zone, Riderville, the Apex Adventure Zone, and a beer garden and live music through the afternoon and evening.
This year's fireworks are getting an upgrade: the show is being synced to music, broadcast so people can tune in nearby, over the waterfront starting at 10:30 p.m. Transit is running a Sunday schedule today, and organizers are asking everyone to plan extra time given road closures around the park. However you spend it, happy birthday, Canada.
🚌 EDUCATION
Regina's Free Transit Pilot Is Continuing for Johnson Collegiate Students
A program giving Johnson Collegiate students free access to Regina Transit is being extended after officials pointed to encouraging early results. The pilot removes a cost barrier that can keep students from getting to and from school reliably, particularly in a neighbourhood where transportation has been identified as a hurdle.
City officials say the momentum from this year's results supports keeping the program going. It's a small policy change with a direct, practical benefit for local families, and a good example of a pilot project earning its keep.
🏒 PATS
Pats Add Three New Players Through the CHL Import Draft
The Regina Pats used this year's CHL import draft to bring in three new players, filling out the roster spots left open after Ruslan Karimov and Matyas Ubl departed the team. The additions give new head coach David Bell a few more pieces to work with heading into training camp season.
Import spots are always closely watched by junior hockey followers, since teams get just a handful to work with each year. With the coaching change already in place, this is one more step toward shaping what the Pats will look like this fall.
🏈 RIDERS
Daniel Wiebe Scores His First CFL Touchdown in His Pro Debut
Roughriders receiver Daniel Wiebe, just 23, caught his first career touchdown pass in his professional debut this past week, a milestone moment for the young Saskatchewan product. It's the kind of story that resonates locally, a hometown-flavoured team giving a first look to new talent and getting rewarded for it.
The Riders are back in action Friday, July 3, on the road against the Ottawa REDBLACKS, in a game that doubles as a reunion of sorts for several 2025 Grey Cup faces now on opposite sidelines. Starting quarterback Trevor Harris leads the way for Saskatchewan.
❤️ COMMUNITY
The Countdown Is On for I Love Regina Day, and They Still Need Performers
The City of Regina is putting out a final call for performer applications for I Love Regina Day, happening Saturday, August 22, in Victoria Park. Organizers say there are still a few spots open on the stage for local groups and performers who want to be part of the day.
It's a free, all-ages community celebration built around live entertainment, children's activities, and local exhibitors, and it's become one of the city's favourite late-summer traditions. If you or someone you know performs, applications are open now.
📅 What's On in Regina
July 1 to 3, 2026
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1 — CANADA DAY
🎆 Regina Canada Day | Wascana Centre | All day, fireworks at 10:30 PM | Free — Pancake breakfast at 8:30 AM, Food Truck Alley and The Market 10 AM–10 PM, opening ceremonies at noon, RPL Family Fun Zone, Riderville, Apex Adventure Zone, beer garden and live music through the day. This year's fireworks are a synced pyromusical, timed to music. Full schedule
🤸 2026 Canadian Gymnaestrada — Opening Ceremonies & Wascana Park Performance | Wascana Park | Opening Ceremonies 10:00 AM–11:30 AM, performance at the Canada Day celebrations 2:30 PM–5:30 PM | Free — Gymnasts from across Canada open this year's national Gymnaestrada and take the stage publicly as part of Canada Day. Details
🎗️ Lieutenant Governor's Canada Day Celebration | Government House, 4607 Dewdney Avenue | 1:00 PM–4:00 PM | Free — RCMP Pipes and Drums, a petting zoo, and Saskatchewan Science Centre activities on the grounds. Details
🚔 RCMP Heritage Centre Canada Day | 5907 Dewdney Avenue | 2:00 PM–5:00 PM | Free — Prairie-themed craft stations and activities for the whole family. Details
🎺 RCMP Depot Sunset Ceremony | RCMP Academy, 5907 Dewdney Avenue | Gates 5:30 PM, ceremony 6:00 PM | Free — Cadets in ceremonial dress with cannon and rifle fire; bring a blanket or lawn chair and ear protection for little ones. Details
🥕 Regina Farmers' Market | Pat Fiacco Plaza (City Square), 2190 12th Avenue | 9:00 AM–1:00 PM | Free — The regular downtown Wednesday market runs as scheduled, right alongside everything else happening around the city today. Market info
💦 Canada Day Splash Bash | The Landing at Grasslands | 11:00 AM | Free — A water-themed family event to kick off the holiday. Details
⚾ Regina Red Sox Canada Day Doubleheader | Currie Field | 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM | Paid admission — The Red Sox host Swift Current for a Canada Day twin bill at home. Tickets
🎬 Kramer IMAX Theatre Showtimes | 2903 Powerhouse Drive | Paid admission — 11:45 AM Call of the Dolphins 3D · 1:00 PM Lost Wolves of Yellowstone · 2:15 PM & 4:45 PM Minions & Monsters: The IMAX Experience · 7:00 PM Supergirl: The IMAX Experience. Showtimes
THURSDAY, JULY 2
🤘 Yegg, Butcher, Unkept, Notchren | The Exchange (Clubside), 2431 8th Avenue | Doors 7:00 PM, show 8:00 PM | $15 advance / $20 door — A Home in Hardcore presents a night of death metal, hardcore, and thrash from Vancouver Island, BC, Edmonton, and right here in Regina. PWYC/NOTAFLOF. Tickets
🎬 EPiC: Elvis in Concert | RPL Film Theatre | 1:00 PM | Free — 2025, 96 min, PG, directed by Baz Luhrmann. Details
🎬 They Will Kill You | RPL Film Theatre | 7:00 PM | Free (14A) — Canada, 2025, 93 min, directed by Kirill Sokolov. Details
⚾ Regina Red Sox vs. Saskatoon Berries | Currie Field | 7:00 PM | Paid admission Tickets
🎬 Kramer IMAX Theatre Showtimes | 2903 Powerhouse Drive | Paid admission — 11:45 AM Call of the Dolphins 3D · 1:00 PM Lost Wolves of Yellowstone · 2:15 PM Minions & Monsters: The IMAX Experience · 4:30 PM Supergirl: The IMAX Experience · 7:00 PM Minions & Monsters: The IMAX Experience. Showtimes
FRIDAY, JULY 3
🎬 Cross My Heart | RPL Film Theatre | 4:30 PM | Free — USA, 1987, 90 min, 14A. Details
🎬 Whistle | RPL Film Theatre | 7:00 PM | Free (14A) — Canada, 2025, 100 min, directed by Corin Hardy. Details
🍺 First Firkin Friday | Bushwakker Brewpub, 2206 Dewdney Avenue | 5:30 PM–9:00 PM — The monthly cask ale tapping returns. They are hoping to be fully recovered from their recent flooding. Check in with them before heading out. Details
🎬 Kramer IMAX Theatre Showtimes | 2903 Powerhouse Drive | Paid admission — 11:45 AM Call of the Dolphins 3D · 1:00 PM Superhuman Body 3D: World of Medical Marvels · 2:15 PM & 4:45 PM Minions & Monsters: The IMAX Experience · 7:00 PM Supergirl: The IMAX Experience. Showtimes
🤸 2026 Canadian Gymnaestrada — Brandt Centre Performances | Brandt Centre | 9:00 AM–3:00 PM, continues Saturday with Closing Ceremonies at 4:00 PM | — Indoor showcase performances from the national gymnastics festival. Details
RUNNING ALL WEEK
🎨 Strange Dark Memory by Maia Stark — MacKenzie Art Gallery — Through August 9 — Free — Ceramics and paintings exploring twins, doppelgängers, and mirrored identity. Details
🖼️ Bruce Anderson: Herd-Bound, curated by Alexander Rondeau — Dunlop Art Gallery, Sherwood Village Branch — Through October 14 — Free — Drop in during library hours. Details
📊 This Week's Poll
How are you spending Canada Day this year?
🎆 At Wascana all day, staying for the fireworks
🥞 Just the pancake breakfast, then heading elsewhere
🏠 Watching the fireworks from home
⚾ At the ballpark for the Red Sox doubleheader
Hit reply and let us know :)
Thanks for reading Queen City Digest, and happy 159th birthday, Canada. However you're celebrating today, we hope it's a good one. Stay safe out there tonight, and we'll see you Friday.
Next edition: Friday, July 3.
-QCD