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Good morning, Thunder Bay! Happy Friday — and happy long weekend. There's a pow wow up on the mountain, weekend markets across town, and word that Ribfest has found a new home. It's a warm, sticky one out there, so grab something cold and here's everything worth knowing and getting out for.
In this Harbour Beat Issue…
⚖️ Courts toss a $50M wind-farm lawsuit against the province
🍖 Ribfest is moving to Thunder City Speedway this August
🥗 A kitchen overhaul brings fresh meals to hospital patients
🏡 A local man wins the 40th Fort William Rotary House Lottery
Trivia: How many hearts does an octopus have? (Answer at the bottom!)
Your long-weekend guide to Thunder Bay — here's what's worth getting out for over the next few days. 🎉
Friday, July 3
The Wedding Singer — Immersive 80s Musical Dinner Theatre — 6:30–10:30 p.m. · 📍 Italian Cultural Centre, 132 Algoma St S · A chaotic, feel-good '80s musical dinner-theatre night, with a portion of proceeds to the Cystic Fibrosis Thunder Bay Walk. · 📅 Add to Calendar
Canada Day Weekend at Thunder Bay KOA — Fri–Mon, all long weekend · 📍 162 Spruce River Rd, Shuniah · Fireworks, BBQ, pancakes and a kids' Bubblepalooza at the campground. · 📅 Add to Calendar
Saturday, July 4
FWFN Summer Pow Wow — 9 a.m.–9 p.m. (also Sunday to 5 p.m.) · 📍 Anemki Wajiw (Mount McKay), Fort William First Nation · Grand entries, drumming, dancing, regalia and food — everyone is welcome to this summer celebration. · 📅 Add to Calendar
Thunder Bay Country Market — 8 a.m.–1 p.m. · 📍 CLE Dove Building, 425 Northern Ave · Local produce, baking, crafts and food from Northwestern Ontario makers. · 📅 Add to Calendar
Classic Days & Vintage Vendor Market — Sat & Sun, from noon · 📍 Oliver Paipoonge Heritage Park, 3190 Hwy 61 · Classic cars, antique engines, model trains and a vintage vendor market ($5, kids 12 & under free). · 📅 Add to Calendar
Sunday, July 5
FWFN Summer Pow Wow — Final Day — 9 a.m.–5 p.m. · 📍 Anemki Wajiw (Mount McKay), Fort William First Nation · The pow wow wraps up with more grand entries, dancing and community feasting. · 📅 Add to Calendar
It's a warm, humid stretch to kick off the long weekend. Friday brings mainly cloudy skies with a high of 27°C (humidex 30) and a UV index of 8 — very high, so don't skip the sunscreen. Winds ease through the evening and the overnight low dips to about 13°C. The rest of the weekend looks bright, with sunny skies and highs near 25°C Saturday and Sunday — close to perfect pow wow and patio weather. Drink plenty of water, find some shade, and check on older neighbours and pets. Full forecast at Environment Canada.
Courts toss a $50M wind-farm lawsuit against the province
An Ontario Superior Court judge has dismissed Horizon Wind's $50-million claim against the province over its failed Big Thunder Windpark in the Nor'Wester Mountains. The company argued the Ministry of Environment misled it before rejecting the project in 2015, but the judge found the statements were either accurate or made in official government releases — and so not grounds for a lawsuit. The proposed wind farm, on city-owned land near Fort William First Nation, had drawn strong local opposition.
Ribfest is moving to Thunder City Speedway
One of the city's tastiest traditions is getting a new home. Ribfest 2026 will run August 27–30 at Thunder City Speedway in Oliver Paipoonge — its first time outside city limits after several years at Marina Park. Organizers plan to line the track with classic cars, set up a stage for live music, and even add a youth slingshot-car race to turn the rib feast into a full-blown festival at the dirt track.
A kitchen overhaul brings fresh meals to hospital patients
Patients at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre are getting better meals thanks to a full kitchen makeover. For nearly a year the hospital has cooked and served food in real time — a “cook-serve” method — instead of chilling it and reheating days later. New equipment, revamped staff roles and a fresh seven-day menu have already lifted patient satisfaction, and the team is eyeing seasonal and local touches next.
A local man wins the 40th Fort William Rotary House Lottery
Talk about a Canada Day to remember: Thunder Bay's Frank McKay took home the grand prize in the 40th annual Fort William Rotary House Lottery. The long-running draw is one of the city's biggest community fundraisers, with proceeds flowing back into Rotary projects across the region. Congratulations, Frank!
Meme of the Day
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Trivia answer: Three! An octopus has two hearts that pump blood through its gills and a third that circulates it to the rest of the body. Odd fact: that third heart stops beating when the octopus swims — one reason these clever creatures often prefer to crawl.