Red and white ruled Lheidli T'enneh Memorial Park on Canada's 150th birthday Saturday.
Thousands gathered to mark the sesquicentennial year in celebration of culture, diversity, art, food and history.
As the beloved Little Prince Steam Engine made its way around the park, paddlers from around North America arrived in the 150 Northern Hardware Prince George Canoe Race.
Multicultural performers took to the stand as food, music and people of many backgrounds came together for the one thing that brought them all together: being Canadian.
"Its pretty special to be part of such a great country," said 12-year-old Nico Myatovic who was taking in the park's festivities with his dad and brother.
"I love the freedom we have here. There's not a lot we have to worry about."
For his 15-year-old brother, Markus, the celebration was all about bringing the community together.
"It's so great to see the community come together," Markus said. "I've seen so many of my friends here today."
For Marcelle Labelle, Canada's 150th reminds him of a time gone by but new hope for the future after having overcome the oppression of residential schooling.
"So many things stick in my mind," Labelle said. "I teach canoe building. But I also teach our culture and the oppression that has taken place in Canada."
Labelle's 15-foot birch bark canoe was on display highlighting the history of the French Canadians, Metis and First Nations.
"This comes from mother earth,"Labelle said. "This canoe is from all of the materials from the earth. And it always finds its way back to nature. It is spiritual. It is the human cycle."
Culture was celebrated throughout the day as performers from various nationalities took to the stage in song and dance.
The Sikh population also made an appearance with turban tying available for those wanting to try one on for size.
"There's a lot of misconceptions out there," said Hardeep Singh, co-organizer of the event.
"This makes people more comfortable by putting ourselves out there in the community."
Special visitors from the Royal Canadian Air Force made a fly-by in a Lockheed CP -140 Aurora aircraft in celebration of Canada's special day.
