Canada's insider blog

I’m an immigrant.  My family arrived in Vancouver from Budapest on Easter Sunday in 1988.  We drove to Nelson and I received my landed immigrant status in Trail a few months later. I remember that we celebrated with a Johnny Cash concert, a root beer float and a cheese burger.  (Back then, fast food and anything stamped with an arch was a novelty item still.)

And then everything changed.  I was a new Canadian. So I don’t take Canada Day lightly. 
But I have to admit that although I always celebrate the holiday, I never attach much emotion to it.  Today, that was not the case.  This was my first Canada Day celebration in Ottawa and I felt it. 

As soon as I saw Peter Mansbridge in our hotel’s (The Fairmont Chateau Laurier) breakfast nook, I was in tears (and we didn’t even sing Oh, Canada yet!).  By 9 am, the streets were teaming with scarlet-and-snow white colours:  Canadians wanted to be cloaked in their national identity.  I was so excited and proud to be a Canadian.

Today, we were all united: We raised the flag to a gorgeous salute by the 4 Tenors, we watched a pageantry of troops change the guard, reveling in their pomp.  We clapped, cheered and giggled when the majestic horses of the RCMP Musical Ride danced in unison to our command.  We awed at the Governor General’s elegant demeanour, and shook our Prime Minister’s hand. And it wasn’t even noon yet.

CANADA:  The magnificent banner was spread across a massive podium and it did a great job of holding it  together for the performers who came from coast to coast to entertain our crowd of thousands. Sarah McLachlan, Gregory Charles, The Respectables, Shane Yellowbird, Gordie Johnson, Hannah Georgas and Said the Whale got us tapping our feet, while Alex Wells and circus performers dazzled us, until we could only muster up a few oohs-and-ahs underneath our breath.

And how about the CF-18s and the gun salute, could it get better?  Yes.  The celebrations are only beginning.  (I can hear Alex Cuba singing from my room. ) We’re taking in the sights of the Byward Market and the sounds of Major’s Hill Park, then it's those famous fireworks.  I can’t wait to show you the videos and photos. 

How are you celebrating Canada Day?