With the sun beating down on Fort George Park on Monday thousands of Prince George residents gathered to wish Canada a happy 146th birthday.
The early birds got the prime spots in the shade for the Celebrate Canada festival, but as the day wore on the sun made its way behind cloud cover the crowd began to surrounded the Kiwanis bandshell and listen to the array of ethnic entertainment organized by the Multicultural Heritage Society.
The temperature peaked at 33 C, but the hot weather didn't stop Edie Frederick from getting on her feet and dancing to the First Nations drummers who helped get the party started just after noon. The Lheidli T'enneh member said partaking in the country's birthday celebrations has long been a family tradition.
"Ever since the city was incorporated as Prince George, my ancestors were a part of July 1st and they always looked forward to July 1st," Frederick said. "We always heard about it."
The Prince George Community Band kicked off Monday's entertainment and the lineup featured everything from Thai fire spinning to Ukrainian dancers. The thousands who made the trip to the park also got a taste of Prince George with concessions representing 10 ethnic groups ranging from African to Indian.
Organizer Marlies Greulich was pleased with the turnout which she described as comparable to previous years, but she said specific figures won't be known until the vendors tally up their earnings.
It takes about 400 people to put the show together every year and Greulich said the community stepped again this year to make it a success.
"It was tight, but they always come through," she said of the volunteer demand. "It's a last-minute city, but we're used to that so we don't panic."
The late afternoon rain caused some people to leave early, but Greulich said a large crowed waited out the storm to take in the final few acts.
First Nations played a big role in the opening ceremonies Monday. In addition to the traditional drumming, a group of children sang a version of O Canada in the Carrier language and Lheidli T'enneh chief councillor Dominic Fredrick provided opening remarks.
Edie Frederick said she believes it's more important than ever for First Nations groups to get involved in local celebrations like Canada Day.
"I think it's very important for us because times are changing and we have to keep up with the changes," Frederick said as she stood in the long line that formed for birthday cake. "We're building relationships all over the place with the federal government, the provincial government and the municipality."
After a day of singing and dancing, the day was set to close with fireworks from Connaught Hill Park. Canfor sponsored the pyrotechnics show, which was scheduled for 11 p.m.
