Thunder Bay's 'Rockin' Recovery Day', marking overcoming addiction, set for August 31

Thunder Bay, Ont., Mayor Keith Hobbs and members of the city's Drug Awareness Committee and Drug Strategy group have announced plans for the 2016 Rockin' Recovery event on August 31 at the Festival Area in Marina Park from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. 

The free, family-friendly event will feature local stories of recovery, live musical entertainment, food vendors, a bouncy castle and other children's activities, and Recovery Allies promoting local helping resources.

"All of our events give an opportunity for individuals in recovery, their families, friends and allies, to come forward and share publicly about the gifts recovery has brought to their lives," said Cynthia Olsen, coordinator of the Thunder Bay Drug Strategy.

"Together, through these stories, we demonstrate the power and proof of recovery from addiction," she said in a written release Tuesday.

Recovery Day was first celebrated in the cities of Vancouver and Victoria, British Columbia on September 30, 2012 as a public display of the freedom from addiction. Since then, the movement has spread throughout Canada.

"We come together in the month of September to build awareness, challenge societal stigma and celebrate the role that recovery plays in improving the lives of millions of Canadians," said Olsen.

For more information, visit www.recoverydaycanada.com or follow the event on Facebook at Thunder Bay Drug Strategy.