By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON July 2nd, 2012 Canada Day – 145 years out and Burlington celebrates the day with Ashley MacIsaac on stage doing what he does so well with his fiddle. He then tried telling the citizens to do everything they can to ensure that the current prime minister isn’t in office on the 150th anniversary. That appeal fell on deaf ears.
Homes on the Beachway left no doubt about what they were celebrating.
He was as good on his fiddle as he usually is – but he shouldn’t try to sing.
Spencer Smith Park filled up as the evening approached after a day when a crowd of new Canadians took to the stage one by one to be made “Canadians” with Citizenship Court Judge Frank Hayden swearing them all in and giving them his “being a Canadian” pep talk.
It was a wonderfully sunny day; crowds were out and the Beachway part of the city had hundreds of families out on the grass with hundreds of kids in the water.
If you didn't have a bright red T shirt - there was a booth you could buy one at.
Parking was close to impossible and the city had additional staff handing out parking tickets. There was a subtle change in the uniforms the men were wearing – instead of the shirts with the By Law enforcement shoulder patches these men had Provincial Offences Enforcement, which meant they could give people tickets for provincial offences and not just parking – no drinking in public parks.
Families out on the grass - enjoying great weather and a day to remember.
It was interesting to note that the people on the Beachway tended to be large families that had hibachis and all the gear needed for a picnic. Many were people of colour, dressed traditionally and while quiet were very friendly. Soccer was the predominant sport but we did see one little tyke who had put together twigs for a camp fire in what any Scout master would have given him a badge for. The child was being very well supervised, there was no chance that he was going to light a fire.
Police officer told us he was on "bikini patrol" and that he loved his job.
The Regional police had officers out on bicycles patrolling what we were told was a quiet day.
Her name was Jade - she just seemed to love the camera.
Captivated with the cell phone - this young man was having the time of his life.
The mood and the scene at The Joseph Brant Museum was quite different. There was entertainment for the young people and displays to look over with plenty of shaded space to sit and eat more of that ice cream with fresh fruit than we perhaps should have. Quite a different feel than that out on the Beachway.
The Canadiana Tent the city set up was both a smart thing to do and the best deal available on the waterfront during the weekend. It was a place to sit and relax, for those who had been on their feet for several hours, the $20 price was worth every penny. You got a meal, an alcoholic beverage, a cold drink, a Maple Leaf cookie and reasonably comfortable seats plus shade. You can do that one again city hall. And that extra drink you wanted was nicely priced – less than we paid for the same drink in Grimsby the day before. You also got a small flag.
As dusk approached the waterfront filled up quickly for the fireworks.
The SeaDoo races around an obstacle course kept the air filled with the sounds of those roaring engines but no one seemed to mind.
It was just one of those pleasant sunny summer days – no doubt whatsoever that summer was here and staying for awhile. A national holiday, celebration of the founding of the country. Most born in the country Canadians take it all for granted; those who chose to come to this country knew what they were doing. We can learn from them just how fortunate we are.
