Celebrity Sightings in Thunder Bay

Thunder Bay has been truly spoiled this month. Our city has seen the likes of Prime Minister Mark Carney, Bryan Adams, Steve Aoki, and the wonderful performers at Wake the Giant. For those who missed the Prime Minister’s visit earlier this month, Carney was here strictly on business. On September 3rd he announced a 4.7 billion dollar investment into Thunder Bay’s railcar industry. He then took to Tungsten street with 1980s singer Bryan Adams for a quick persian and coffee. Both the Adams and Aoki shows went off without a hitch, playing at the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium and NV Nightclub respectively.

Wake the Giant took place last weekend at Marina Park. It’s a local staple, and this year the music festival featured The Plain White T’s, The Wallflowers, and more. However, it was the headliner, Flo Rida (yes, “Whistle” singer), who caused quite the stir at the sober event. The American artist used alcohol bottles as props during his performance and even invited viewers up on the stage, including minors. Some members of the on-stage crowd were also seen stripping off their shirts and dancing suggestively to the songs. The Wake the Giant team has since then issued an apology for the “harm” caused by this performance and clarified that Flo Rida and his team were briefed on alcohol prohibition.

What makes these celebrity visits so special is that they essentially sum up the spirit of the city. Persians, Canadiana, and the very comical scenario that one of the only times Thunder Bay sees an international superstar, it goes horribly sideways.