Happy Canada Day!

"On June 20, 1868, a proclamation signed by the Governor General, Lord Monck, called upon all Her Majesty's loving subjects throughout Canada to join in the celebration of the anniversary of the formation of the union of the British North America provinces in a federation under the name of Canada on July 1^st."

Today is Canada Day, and we celebrated it in the time-honored Canadian tradition of having blinds hung in our house. :o) After we grew bored with that, we watched the end of the Toronto vs. Vancouver soccer game (Vancouver won 1-0).

Then we decided to head to Bower Ponds to take in some of the local celebration. We went paddle boating ourselves here on Sunday. Today they had several food tents set up from some local ethnic organizations and a stage with music. We indulged in some type of sausage and perogies from the Ukrainians, and some noodles and rice from the Chinese. Sam is enjoying the cuisine below.


















Fireworks start at 11:15pm, because it won't be dark enough before then to see them! A woman we spoke with said she is a huge fan of the band that is closing out the evening called St. James' Gate, a modern Celtic band with mostly local members. I would have liked to see them, but not tonight - we're already in our jammies!

All this Canada Day business made be wonder what lyrics are to their national anthem. In case anyone else was wondering....

O Canada!
Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all thy sons command.

With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!

From far and wide,
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.