PHOTOS: Canada Day celebrations in the Quinte region

The Quinte region came out to show their support celebrating the 158th birthday of Canada today.

Belleville and Quinte West held their Canada Day celebrations at West Zwick’s Park and Centennial Park respectively.

In Belleville, Mayor Neil Ellis and Bay of Quinte MPP Tyler Allsopp spoke during the opening ceremony for the event.

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Belleville’s fireworks display in 2025 (Photo: Justin Anderson/Quinte News)

Mayor Ellis noted it was the first time that the Canada Day festival was not being run by the Belleville Chamber of Commerce since 2007.

The City of Belleville took over event management operations after the contract between the chamber and the city was not renewed.

“I wanted to take a moment to thank the Chamber of Commerce, under the leadership of Jill Raycroft, for their past efforts and several years of planning and executing this event for the city,” Ellis said in his speech.

“You laid a fabulous framework for us to work from and on behalf of the entire city, thank you to Jill and all her staff and volunteers at the chamber.”

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Belleville Mayor Neil Ellis speaking to the crowd during the opening ceremonies of the Canada Day festival at West Zwick’s Park. July 1, 2025. (Photo: Zach McGibbon/Quinte News)

Eddy and the Dirty Boys headline Canada Day entertainment at the pavilion (Photo: Tim Durkin/ Quinte News)

Meanwhile, Bay of Quinte MPP Tyler Allsopp said this year’s Canada Day matters more due to the ongoing trade war with the United States.

“As we face threats with the tariffs from the southern border, we hear talk about annexation of Canada, and it’s been so amazing to see everybody from coast to coast stand shoulder to shoulder and deliver that message that Canada will never be the 51st state that we are proud to be Canadians, and that we will always be the true North, strong and free.” Allsopp told the crowd.

Bay of Quinte MPP Tyler Allsopp speaking to the crowd during the opening ceremonies of the Canada Day festival at West Zwick’s Park. July 1, 2025. (Photo: Zach McGibbon/Quinte News)

In Trenton, Bay of Quinte MP Chris Malette was in attendance and spoke with the crowd.

Following his speech, Quinte News spoke with Malette.

“I was in Wellington at the parade today. I’ve been to a lot of Wellington parades. I’ve never seen one that vibrant, that’s just buzzing with pride and again, here in Trenton, and I’m going to be down the road in Belleville. I’m sure it’s every bit as as pumped up,” Malette tells Quinte News.

“It really seems that we’re rallying to the flag, if you will, and it’s a great time to be a Canadian.”

Belleville Canada Day celebration photos below: