It’s that time of the year again — the time to wish
our great country a happy birthday! This is not a day to sit back and stay at home.
Every year, the whole country busts out their national pride with all-day parades, barbecues, children’s
festivals, music events and explosive firework displays — and this year is no different.
Back in the day, Canada belonged to Great Britain — that is, until July 1, 1867. On this day the British
government approved a plan that allowed Canada to become an independent country with its own government. This
was recognized as Dominion Day.
This lasted until 1982, when the Constitution Act allowed Canada absolute control over its affairs and
replaced Dominion Day with Canada Day, which we have since been celebrating for the past twentysomething
years.
But how have Canadians from all over the country come together to celebrate this day, and more important,
what is happening this year?
While Lifestyle will not be reciting the Canadian anthem in this article, many Canadians will be
found belting it out on the streets in their hometowns, waving flags, and celebrating with barbecues,
parades, music and, of course, fireworks. Check out these communities, towns, villages and cities hosting
these types of special Canada Day events:
Lighting Up the Rockies
In Alberta there is the Town of Banff, which is
nestled in the middle of the majestic Canadian Rockies. This is a perfect location to celebrate Canada’s
birthday on July 1 this year. The day begins with a pancake breakfast, which is followed by the
entertainment: This starts back at Central Park with a parade that runs the length of Banff Avenue, followed
by a wide range of performers who sing and dance until 11 p.m., and a spectacular fireworks show over the
grand Rocky Mountains to end the day.
Other memorable Canada Day festivities are taking place in these Albertan cities and communities as well:
Canada Day at Fort Calgary
Cochrane Canada Day Arts Festival and Concert
Canada Day in Jasper
Medicine Hat Canada Day
Red Deer Canada Day Celebration
A West Coast Party
Canada Place has been the number 1 hot spot to wave your flags on Canada Day and continues to still
be a favourite place to celebrate on July 1 in British Columbia. It co-produces the Burrard Inlet Fireworks, which is a unique multi-community event of
brilliant fireworks that draws more than 400,000 people and numerous communities together. You’ll be able to
experience this extravaganza from many areas around Vancouver such as North Vancouver, downtown and the West
Side.
Check out these festivals also happening around Vancouver and the B.C. region:
Canada Day at Granville Island
2010 Surrey Canada Day
Yaletown Grand Prix
Waterfront Park, North Vancouver Canada Day Celebration
An Island Full of Pride
Prince Edward Island may be a tiny island, but it’ll host a colossal number of festivals and all-day
and all-night events come Canada Day. At the Gateway Arena in the Borden-Carleton area of P.E.I. are
festivities that will make you beam with national pride, including their flag-raising ceremony, parade, bike
rodeo, dunk tank, flea market, fireworks and community bands.
These are some of P.E.I.’s other communities that will be holding highly entertaining festivals and events
this year on Canada Day:
Canada Day fishing and live entertainment at the Town of Alberton
Canada Day Legion Parade at Bloomfield
Green Park Shipbuilding Museum and Historic Yeo House in Charlottetown
Marching of the Colours at the Town of Kensington
Kanata Club Canada Day parade and children’s activities
Scottish Fiddlers and Ceilidh Dancers Association Inc. (Richmond — MacKinnon Homestead Grounds)
Canada Day fireworks at St. Louis Village (Community Centre)
Ontario reins in a Capital F for Fun
One place where every Canadian should celebrate July 1 is Canada’s capital, Ottawa. Canada Day on
Parliament Hill is like no other. With Canada’s prime minister leading the festivities, it is a great
lifetime experience that cannot be missed. Toronto is another location where grand fireworks and entertaining
festivals and events happen. From fireworks at Ontario Place to events in the Beaches and riding the
rollercoasters at Canada’s Wonderland, it guarantees a fun time for the whole family.
If you’re not in the big city on July 1, don’t panic because below are towns in Ontario that have explosive
Canada Day celebrations:
Canada Day Celebrations Canada Day Parade & Street Dance & Fireworks in Barrie
Canada Day Celebrations in Collingwood
Canada Day Celebrations in Midland
Canada Day Celebration at Walker's Point Marina in Muskoka
Canada Day Celebrations in Orillia
Canada Day Celebrations and Summer Blast Off in Port
Sydney•
