Canada Day festivities drown out gloomy forecast

guest · 2015-07-01

Mother Nature didn’t receive the memo: Canada is celebrating the white and red, not the wet and red.

Still, despite a gloomy forecast for Wednesday afternoon, the early festivities at Parliament Hill largely avoided the pouring rain. Aside from a few scattered showers, the worst of the rain held off until the noon show wrapped up and the crowds were able to disperse.

The attendance numbers reflected that brighter-than-expected outcome, too. Approximately 34,000 people came from coast to coast to celebrate the noon show at Parliament Hill, in honour of Canada’s 148th birthday.

The show began with a soulful rendition of O Canada and the Royal Anthem by Winnipeg singer-songwriter Cassidy Mann, and featured musical acts including country musician Gord Bamford, Calgary pop star Kiesza, Quebec singer-songwriter Marc Dupré and reggae fusion headliners Magic!.

All of the listed performers will take the stage again for the evening show on Parliament Hill, which is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m.

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People lined the street watching the dignitaries arrive on Parliament Hill during the Canada Day festivities Wednesday July 1, 2015.

The noon show did see the absence of one notable tradition, however: the Snowbirds demonstration team, which is usually seen flying in formation over the Hill every Canada Day, could not make its usual appearance due to atmospheric conditions and a low ceiling.

“I understand that safety is the pilots’ No. 1 concern,” said Scott Ford, who was watching the festivities, “and no one wants to see their life threatened from flying in poor conditions.” He added that the cancellation of the flypast was “disappointing,” saying that the Snowbirds’ flight adds an element of “national pride”.

Nevertheless, there was plenty of Canadian pride on display around Parliament. In addition to colourful outfits adorned with Canadian flags and maple leaves, those who came to enjoy the shows were eager to share why their country is so appealing.

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“I like the freedom,” said Paul Levesque, 55. “I like the multiple cultures and how safe we are here compared to other countries.”

Fellow Hill attendee Maureen Mikocic agreed, adding that the country should be proud of “its freedom, its friendliness and its diversity.”

Earlier in the day, national pride was also on display at the Mayor’s Annual Canada Day Celebration for Seniors at Lansdowne Park. The event, which was attended by approximately 2,500 seniors, was by invitation only.

Claude and Claire Cloutier, a married couple who showed up for the gathering, agreed that multiculturalism is one of Canada’s most alluring traits.

“That’s the biggest thing. People are accepted as they are,” Claude said. “It wasn’t always like that.”

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Captain Canada made his way through the crowd on Parliament Hill during the Canada Day noon show Wednesday July 1, 2015.

For Tony McNeil, another invitee, it’s important to celebrate Canada because of its freedom and security compared to more oppressive countries like Egypt and Syria.

“I spent 36 years in the military, and I’ve done a lot of (United Nations) peacekeeping,” he said. “So I’ve been other places where there’s not freedom, there’s not security, and you can’t open your mouth and say whatever you want. Here, you can go down the middle of Rideau Street … and preach, and nobody’s going to say anything.”

Photos: Canada Day across the country

Photos from the Canada Day celebrations across Canada.

A fan waves a Canadian flag as the crowd celebrates Canada Day during interleague baseball action between the Toronto Blue Jays and Milwaukee Brewers in Toronto on Tuesday July 1 , 2014. Chris Young / Canadian Press
A woman enjoys the festivities during the annual Canada Day parade in Montreal, Tuesday, July 1, 2014. Graham Hughes / Canadian Press
Jerry Johnston wears patriotic sunglasses and an umbrella bearing Canadian flags during Canada Day celebrations in Vancouver, B.C., on Tuesday July 1, 2014. DARRYL DYCK / CP
A woman wearing Canadian flag-shaped sunglasses takes a photo while taking part in celebrations on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Tuesday, July 1, 2014. FRED CHARTRAND / Canadian Press
It's Canada Day. Chris Young / CP
A man with a Canada Day message on his back looks on during the annual Canada Day parade in Montreal, Tuesday, July 1, 2014. Graham Hughes / CP
Participants entertain the crowd during the annual Canada Day parade in Montreal, Tuesday, July 1, 2014. Graham Hughes / CP
A young boy holds a Canadian flag as he participates in the annual Canada Day parade in Montreal, Tuesday, July 1, 2014. Graham Hughes / CP
Members of the Iranian community entertain the crowd during the annual Canada Day parade in Montreal, Tuesday, July 1, 2014. Graham Hughes / CP
Fans dance in the stands to celebrate Canada Day during interleague baseball action between the Toronto Blue Jays and Milwaukee Brewers in Toronto on Tuesday July 1 , 2014. Chris Young / Canadian Press
A piped band entertains the crowd during the annual Canada Day parade in Montreal, Tuesday, July 1, 2014. Graham Hughes / CP
A young girl enjoys the festivities during the annual Canada Day parade in Montreal, Tuesday, July 1, 2014. Graham Hughes / CP
Members of the Indian community entertain the crowd during the annual Canada Day parade in Montreal, Tuesday, July 1, 2014. Graham Hughes / CP
Canadian flag glasses adorn a teenager during Canada Day celebrations in Cremona, Alta., Tuesday, July 1, 2014. Jeff McIntosh / CP
Toronto Mayor Rob Ford sings "Oh Canada" while people take photos of him shortly before marching in the National Congress of Chinese Canadians' Canada Day parade in Toronto, Ontario on Tuesday, July 1, 2014. The parade started at Metro Hall, marched through Chinatown and ended at the Rogers Centre. Laura Pedersen/Naitonal Post / PST
A young fan holds a flag as the Toronto crowd celebrate Canada Day during interleague baseball action between Toronto Blue Jays and Milwaukee Brewers in Toronto on Tuesday July 1 , 2014. Chris Young / Canadian Press
A fan wears novelty headware as the Toronto crowd celebrates Canada Day during interleague baseball action between Toronto Blue Jays and Milwaukee Brewers in Toronto on Tuesday July 1 , 2014. Chris Young / Canadian Press
Errol Yim, 92, wears a Canadian flag on his hat as he takes in the view of the harbour during Canada Day celebrations in Vancouver, B.C., on Tuesday July 1, 2014. DARRYL DYCK / Canadian Press
A young boy enjoys the festivities during the annual Canada Day parade in Montreal, Tuesday, July 1, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes Graham Hughes / CP
A young fan of the Toronto Blue Jays celebrates Canada Day before the start of MLB game action against the Milwaukee Brewers on July 1, 2014 at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Tom Szczerbowski / GETTY
Lita Reid, left and her husband Allan show their Canadian pride during Canada Day celebrations in Cremona, Alta., Tuesday, July 1, 2014. Jeff McIntosh / Canadian Press
Participants entertain the crowd during the annual Canada Day parade in Montreal, Tuesday, July 1, 2014. Graham Hughes / Canadian Press
A fan waves a Canadian flag as the crowd celebrates Canada Day during interleague baseball action between the Toronto Blue Jays and Milwaukee Brewers in Toronto on Tuesday July 1 , 2014. Chris Young / Canadian Press
Fans of the Toronto Blue Jays wave Canadian flags on Canada Day during MLB game action against the Milwaukee Brewers on July 1, 2014 at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Tom Szczerbowski / GETTY
Costumed participants entertain the crowd during the annual Canada Day parade in Montreal, Tuesday, July 1, 2014. Graham Hughes / Canadian Press
A Canadian flag is reflected in a car window during the annual Canada Day parade in Montreal, Tuesday, July 1, 2014. Graham Hughes / Canadian Press
Harry Harder sits on his horse Dotte-Dee-Bar during Canada Day celebrations in Cremona, Alta., Tuesday, July 1, 2014 Jeff McIntosh / Canadian Press
Harry Harder rides his horse Dotte-Dee-Bar during Canada Day celebrations in Cremona, Alta., Tuesday, July 1, 2014. Jeff McIntosh / Canadian Press
Seven-year-old Scott Sandilands competes in the sack race during Canada Day celebrations in Cremona, Alta., Tuesday, July 1, 2014 Jeff McIntosh / Canadian Press
Fans of the Toronto Blue Jays celebrate Canada Day before the start of MLB game action against the Milwaukee Brewers on July 1, 2014 at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Tom Szczerbowski / GETTY
A member of the crowd waves a Canadian flag during the annual Canada Day parade in Montreal, Tuesday, July 1, 2014. Graham Hughes / Canadian Press
Members of the Chinese community participate in the annual Canada Day parade in Montreal, Tuesday, July 1, 2014. Graham Hughes / Canadian Press
A man wearing a Canadian flag on his back takes in the view of the harbour and north shore mountains during Canada Day celebrations in Vancouver, B.C., on Tuesday July 1, 2014. DARRYL DYCK / Canadian Press
Megan Balmer wears a maple leaf pin and a shirt covered with maple leafs as she poses for a photograph while attending Canada Day celebrations in Vancouver, B.C., on Tuesday July 1, 2014. DARRYL DYCK / Canadian Press
People crowd the streets around Canada Place during Canada Day celebrations in Vancouver, B.C., on Tuesday July 1, 2014. DARRYL DYCK / Candian Press
A young girl plays ball hockey during Canada Day celebrations in Vancouver, B.C., on Tuesday July 1, 2014. DARRYL DYCK / Canadian Press
Lil Wrigglesworth wears patriotic glasses bearing Canadian flags during Canada Day celebrations in Vancouver, B.C., on Tuesday July 1, 2014. DARRYL DYCK / Canadian Press
A Canadian flag is seen on a fence as people play ball hockey during Canada Day celebrations in Vancouver, B.C., on Tuesday July 1, 2014. DARRYL DYCK / Canadian Press
Canadian fans watch Milos Raonic of Canada in action during his Gentlemen's Singles fourth round match against Kei Nishikori of Japan on day eight of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 1, 2014 in London, England. Clive Brunskill / GETTY
John Reid, of Cremona, Alta., drives a 1954 Harvester International tractor on his way to competing in a tractor pull during Canada Day celebrations in Cremona, Alta., Tuesday, July 1, 2014. Jeff McIntosh / Canadian Press
A general view of the Rogers Centre on Canada Day as a large Canadian flag is unfurled on the field during the singing of the Canadian anthem before the start of the Toronto Blue Jays MLB game against the Milwaukee Brewers on July 1, 2014 at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Tom Szczerbowski / GETTY
A fan holds a Canadian flag in his baseball glove as the Toronto crowd celebrates Canada Day during interleague baseball action between the Toronto Blue Jays and Milwaukee Brewers in Toronto on Tuesday July 1 , 2014. Chris Young / Canadian Press