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In this Harbour Beat Issue…
The cruise ships are back: Victory II kicks off the 2026 season
'This poison is coming': hundreds rally against nuclear waste plans
North harbour cleanup 'stalled' — and there's an open house Tuesday
'A safe space': Pride Growing Together fills Friendship Gardens
Thunder Bay Events
Your week ahead in and around Thunder Bay:
Sunday, June 7
Kite Festival — 11 a.m.–3 p.m. · Chippewa Park · free
Khalsa Day Parade (Nagar Kirtan) — 11 a.m. · kirtan, floats and free langar
Border Cats vs. Rochester Honkers — 1:35 p.m. · Port Arthur Stadium
Family Art Days — 1–4 p.m. · Thunder Bay Art Gallery · free
Monday, June 8
Lodge Building — 10 a.m.–4 p.m. · Niibing Tribal Tours, Neebing · volunteers welcome, free
Dawson Diner Monday Night Cruise-In — 6:30 p.m. · Dawson Diner
Sounds of Superior Chorus: In the Rhythm of Life — 7 p.m. · 321 Hilldale Rd.
Tuesday, June 9
Indigenous Organ Health Summit — 12–4 p.m. · Valhalla Inn · free
North Harbour Cleanup Open House — 5–7 p.m. · Oliver Road Community Centre
Tuesday Group Run — 6:30 p.m. · all paces welcome
Wednesday, June 10
Thunder City Speedway Race Night — 6:30 p.m.
PRIDE 2026 Drag Events — 8 p.m.
Thursday, June 11
Thursday Group Run — 6 p.m.
LIVE Open Mic Comedy — 7 p.m. · Campfire Comedy
Beyond the Last Page: Living a Life of Legacy — 7–8:30 p.m. · free · hosted by Hospice Northwest
HARBOUR BEAT WEATHER
Sunday's looking like a winner for the Kite Festival — a mix of sun and cloud with a high of 23°C, winds turning east at 20 km/h late in the afternoon, and a cool overnight low of 9°C. The UV index climbs to 9 (very high), so bring the sunscreen along with the kite string. Full forecast from Environment Canada.
The cruise ships are back: Victory II kicks off the 2026 season
The Victory II docked at Pool 6 on Friday morning, the first of 10 cruise ship visits coming to Thunder Bay this year. Tourism manager Paul Pepe says about 3,000 passengers and 400 crew will stop in over the season — worth roughly $1.5 million to the local economy.
'This poison is coming': hundreds rally against nuclear waste plans
First Nations leaders and community members gathered at Waverly Park on Saturday to oppose plans to transport and store nuclear waste in northern Ontario, warning of long-term risks to waterways and traditional territories. The rally closed with a water ceremony and a march down Red River Road to the Spirit Garden.
North harbour cleanup 'stalled' — and there's an open house Tuesday
Plans to seal away 400,000 cubic metres of mercury-contaminated sediment in the north harbour have slowed again, says the Remedial Action Plan's coordinator — enough toxic sludge to fill 31 football fields. Want to weigh in? There's an open house Tuesday, June 9, 5–7 p.m. at the Oliver Road Community Centre.
'A safe space': Pride Growing Together fills Friendship Gardens
Hundreds packed Friendship Gardens on Saturday as Thunder Pride kicked off Pride Month with vendors, music and drag performances. Organizers say the new location made the festival bigger and more accessible than ever — and Pride events keep rolling all month long.
Meme of the Day
Sunday forecast at Chippewa Park: 100% chance of tangled kite strings, zero regrets. 🪁