Written by Bernice Trick
Citizen staff
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Sunday, 28 June 2009 |
Wednesday, the 142nd birthday of Canada, is the day to hoist the Maple Leaf and show your pride of being Canadian.
"Canada Day is a time for every citizen to celebrate this country's growth and achievements, and to remind themselves never to take for granted the freedoms we enjoy," said Marlies Gruelich, executive director of the Multicultural Heritage Society, which annually organizes the Canada Day festival in Fort George Park.
"Besides that, it's a birthday party, a family event with no admission, that has activities for all ages."
This year the several thousand expected to attend can see some jousting by the Shire of Cold Keep during a medieval re-enactment and ride the miniature Cottonwood Railway being offered by the Railway and Forestry Museum in lieu of the historic Fort George train which remains out of steam.
Highlights of the opening ceremonies at noon include announcing the nominees for the Prince George Community Association Citizen of the Year and a Canada Day youth award followed by birthday cake for all.
Children's activities begin at 11 a.m. at the gazebo near the playground with crafts and face painting, activities by Two Rivers Gallery and additional programs to 5 p.m. at Exploration Place
The international ethnic food booths will be there with Chinese, South American, Indian, First Nations, Greek, Muslim and Canadian dishes topped off with delicacies like Italian ice cream, gourmet candy and kettle popcorn.
Entertainment goes all day to 7 p.m. closing time with more than 15 groups offering cultural dance, music and song. There are no fireworks again this year.
Unlike the U.S., which celebrates July 4 as Independence Day from British rule, Canada Day is founded on the formation of a new country and the union of provinces.
The holiday became a statute in 1879 but was initially called Dominion Day. In 1927 when the celebration coincided with the Diamond Jubilee of Confederation, the Governor General laid the cornerstone of the Confederation Building on Wellington Street and the Carillon in the Peace Tower was inaugurated.
It's only since the late 1950s that Canada has had regular observance ceremonies of Canada Day. In 1982 Dominion Day was officially changed to Canada Day.
In 1990 when Queen Elizabeth was a Canada Day guest on Parliament Hill she said, "Canada is a country that has been blessed beyond most countries in the world. It is a country worth working for."
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Last Updated ( Sunday, 28 June 2009 )
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