Toronto celebrates Canada Day at Mel Lastman Square on Wednesday, July 1. The popular event features musical performances by top Canadian talent and a spectacular fireworks show.

The Abrams Brothers – John, 18, James, 15, and cousin Elijah, 18 – will kick off the evening at 8:00 pm with their special blend of homegrown bluegrass folk music with a gospel twist. The Ontario-based group is the youngest band to appear on Nashville’s iconic Grand Ole Opry and has already toured internationally.

Toronto’s own Juno-nominated NQ Arbuckle will continue to rock the crowd with their lyrical masterpieces surrounded by raw and loping rhythms and gritty cowboy guitar licks. The four reluctant heroes of alt-country have already released three highly-acclaimed albums on Six Shooter Records and have toured with Canadian music heavyweights Blue Rodeo, Sarah Slean, Rufus Wainwright, Ashley MacIsaac, Carolyn Mark, Chantal Kreviazuk, Veal, The Sadies and Hawksley Workman.

The evening culminates in a spectacular fireworks display at 10:15 pm.

Canada Day 2009 is Wednesday, July 1.