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Good morning, Thunder Bay! It's a bright one out there — mainly sunny with a high of 28°C (UV index 8, so grab the sunscreen). Today the Teddy Bears Picnic takes over Vickers Park, we look back at the sacred fire that anchored Fort William First Nation's Summer Pow Wow, and there's a fresh Build & Thrive podcast episode. Here's your Tuesday briefing.
In this Harbour Beat Issue…
🛢️ A major oil pipeline could cross the northwest
⛳ A comeback win at the AON District Open
⚖️ A death in custody at the district jail
🐾 Keeping pets cool as the heat climbs
🪶 The sacred fire at the FWFN Summer Pow Wow
🎧 A fresh Build & Thrive podcast episode
Trivia: Which planet in our solar system has a day that is longer than its year? (Answer at the bottom!)
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Your week-ahead guide to Thunder Bay — here's what's worth getting out for over the next few days. 🎉
Tuesday, July 7
Teddy Bears Picnic — 11 a.m.–3 p.m. · 📍 Vickers Park · A free, all-ages City picnic with games, music and snacks — bring your teddy! · 📅 Add to Calendar
Wednesday, July 8
Lil Godd — Live — 6:30 p.m. · 📍 Black Pirates Pub · A live hip-hop show on Red River Road. · 📅 Add to Calendar
Thursday, July 9
Mills Block Conservation Area Grand Re-Opening — 3–7 p.m. · 📍 Mills Block, 4045 John Street Rd · Celebrate $700K in new accessible boardwalk and trails, with a Beefcaked Burgers food truck on site. · 📅 Add to Calendar
Summer in the Parking Lot — 6 p.m. · 📍 Superior Inn, 555 Arthur St. W · Outdoor live music; this week: Reckless Abandon, Traveler & V3nom. · 📅 Add to Calendar
Friday, July 10
Dogs Do Magic — 7 p.m. · 📍 Thunder Bay Community Auditorium · A family-friendly night of magic, comedy and jaw-dropping canine tricks. · 📅 Add to Calendar
Saturday, July 11
The Great Rendezvous — 10–11 a.m. · 📍 Fort William Historical Park · Step back into the fur-trade era with voyageur history and living demonstrations (also Sunday). · 📅 Add to Calendar
Afro Vibe Fest 2026 — 12 p.m.–midnight · 📍 Marina Park · Two lakeside days of Afro-diasporic music, dance, food and culture (July 11–12). · 📅 Add to Calendar
Pom Play Date — 11 a.m.–12 p.m. · 📍 Vickers Park · A casual, no-pressure Pomeranian meet-up — all Poms and their people welcome. · 📅 Add to Calendar
Tuesday is a beauty: any morning cloud clears to mainly sunny skies and a high of 28°C, with a very high UV index of 8 — so pack sunscreen, a hat and water if you're heading to the picnic or out on the trails. Winds pick up from the northwest around 20 km/h near noon before easing in the evening, with an overnight low near 15°C. Looking ahead: a 60% chance of showers Wednesday, then sunshine returns Thursday right through the weekend with highs climbing back toward 30°C. Full forecast at Environment Canada.
A major oil pipeline could cross the northwest
A proposed 3,300-km oil pipeline — the Northern Shield Energy Corridor — would run from Hardisty, Alberta to refineries in Sarnia, following an existing natural-gas route just north of Thunder Bay and along Highway 11 through Greenstone. It would carry an estimated 500,000 to 800,000 barrels a day, with a feasibility study due by the end of 2026. The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association is welcoming the proposed route, calling it a potential boost for jobs and investment across the region.
A comeback win at the AON District Open
Jack Moro started Sunday's final round four shots back — but the 22-year-old caught fire at Whitewater Golf Club, firing a 1-under 71 to win the AON District Open by a single stroke over Jason Johnstone. It's Moro's second District Open title in three years, and a dramatic turn from Saturday's leaderboard, which had Jeremy Kirk out front.
A death in custody at the district jail
Investigations are underway after an inmate died at the Thunder Bay District Jail on Canada Day. The Ministry of the Solicitor General confirmed the death but said few details can be released while the matter is “subject to multiple investigations.” As with all in-custody deaths, Ontario's Office of the Chief Coroner is investigating, and Thunder Bay Police — called to the jail that afternoon — say their probe continues alongside partner agencies.
Keeping pets cool as the heat climbs
With summer temperatures on the rise, the Ontario SPCA is reminding pet owners that no pet belongs in a parked vehicle — even a few minutes on a warm day can turn deadly. The “No Hot Pets” campaign shares practical hot-weather tips (shade, fresh water and cooler walk times) and even a chance to win prizes for taking the pledge. A timely nudge as Thunder Bay basks in the sunshine.
🪶 Indigenous Community
The sacred fire at the heart of the pow wow
Hundreds gathered on Anemki Wajiw (Mount McKay) this past weekend for Fort William First Nation's annual Summer Pow Wow — two days of traditional dancing, drumming, vendors and food. At its heart was the sacred fire, lit by head fire keeper Jamie Blackhawk before the celebration began and tended around the clock in six-hour shifts. Used to open ceremonies and offer prayers, it's a way to connect with ancestors — and Blackhawk welcomes newcomers to visit and ask questions: “that's our job, to allow somebody to come in and ask.” Senior mountain keeper David Charlie put it simply — a drug- and alcohol-free celebration to “share with everybody from far and wide.”
Harbour Beat Connect 🎧
Build & Thrive Thunder Bay
Host: Robert Downing · Guest: [Bruno to confirm]
The 24-Hour Rule: What Every Business Should Do Within a Day of Getting a New Lead
When a new lead comes in, the clock is ticking. This week Robert Downing breaks down the 24-Hour Rule — why reaching out within a day of an inquiry dramatically improves your odds of turning it into a paying customer. It's a short, practical listen for any local business owner who wants to stop letting good leads go cold.
In this episode:
Why speed beats polish when a lead first reaches out
Simple systems to respond within 24 hours, every time
How fast follow-up builds trust and repeat business
New episodes every Monday.
Meme of the Day
Brought to you by Harbour Beat
What’s faster than word of mouth? The Harbour Beat Spotlight! Keeps you updated on what’s going on locally and connects businesses to our vibrant community.
Trivia answer: Venus. It takes about 243 Earth days to spin once on its axis but only about 225 Earth days to orbit the Sun — so on Venus, a single day lasts longer than a whole year.