From Crater Bash to Canada Day

In September of 1986 Dick and Joyce Mohns organized a "Crater Bash" at Fallingbrook’s only park, the Apollo Crater. They had children’s races and games and some refreshments. The turnout was excellent, considering the small number of residents at the time. There was a stronger feeling of belonging to the community at the time, since we all felt like pioneers in the mud.

In early 1988, Sue Grace suggested that we move the Crater Bash to July 1 and have some fireworks. Sue said that she could raise donations from local merchants to get the several thousand dollars required. And so was born the first Canada Day in Fallingbrook, a tradition that now attracts 20,000 spectators. Bob Janke of Queenswood PetroCanada and Rolly Laberge of the Loeb IGA have consistently supported this and other events ever since.

The first Canada Day event in the crater had its share of problems. People sat around the slopes of the crater and the fireworks were fired from the middle. Even though the fireworks were much smaller than they are today, one misfired almost horizontally and hit a spectator in the chest; luckily it did not explode. Then the trucks which removed the equipment from the bottom of the crater got stuck and left ruts in the sod.

Although the Apollo Crater was a natural amphitheater, it was realized that it was too small for fireworks. In 1989 the site was moved to the just-completed Fallingbrook Park. The audience sat at the ball diamond and the fireworks were released over Brome Crescent, then undeveloped. In 1990 and 1991 the site was still Fallingbrook Park, but the fireworks were released on the other side of Princess Louise, near Clearcrest Crescent.

When all the land surrounding Fallingbrook Park became developed, we had to seek another site, and so Canada Day 1992 moved to the Ray Friel Centre. This also allowed larger amusement rides. Today’s Canada Day in Fallingbrook attracts 20,000 spectators and has a budget of $20,000.