Happy Canada Day!

kansuze (63)in #travel • 7 years ago

On July 1st 1867, The British North America Act created Canada. Since 1879, the day has been a statuatory holiday to celebrate, first, the anniversary of Confederation and, later, "Dominion Day." It wasn't until comparatively recently, and during my lifetime, October 27, 1982, that it was renamed to "Canada Day."

Around that time, the government started contributing to country-wide celebrations and it became a bigger party. But you must expect the biggest party to be here in Ottawa, the nation's capital city. When I first moved here, I marvelled at that number of events they celebrated, from the Tulip Festival, Blues Fest, Jazz Fest, Winterlude, the list is long but nothing beats Canada Day.

They close down the streets around Parliament Hill (the hill) and I know people who bring a lawn chair and park themselves there for the day. All the entertainment is free. You will get well known bands there and, as well, the Prime Minister and others have to speak. It's a pretty good show and it's not just confined to the hill. The place gets absolutely packed and more so on the important years, not so much a 152nd anniversary like this year. And just so you don't drive downtown, the big slinky buses are free all day. After dark, the very impressive fireworks start.

It can be great fun but I avoid the crowds there now, however I drove around a little today looking for signs of Canada Day outside the organized events.

As a nation, we're not flag wavers except during hockey season and today. Driving down the highway, cars waving flags sped past me. Flags were plastered across windows and balconies. The closer you get to downtown, the more you will see, but it's nice to see those flags come out. I loved this building, above, covered with flags.

I had been out to see a band yesterday and I wore my fancy hat from the first photo but today I stayed home for a quiet celebration.