The rain threatened and cool temperatures kept folks bundled a little more heavily than a typical summer day in Thunder Bay, but it didn’t stop thousands of folks young and old from swarming the city’s downtown to celebrate Canada’s 143rd birthday.
Amber Macys was all decked out in her country’s colours, a Canadian-style Dr. Seuss hat on her head, a white shirt, red Aeropostale sweats and had a large flag painted on her right cheek.
The 10-year-old said celebrating Canada Day at Marina Park is special every year because her country means the world to her.
“It means a lot to me. It’s a very nice country and it’s very fun. And we’re having lots of fun,” she said., “I’m having fun hanging out with my family and eating lots of good food.”
And what’s more Canadian than poutine, the ooey, gooey goodness of cheese curds and gravy smothered over a mound of greasy French fries?
Her companion, 10-year-old Calista Perrons, is thankful for her country and everything it’s brought her.
“Being Canadian means (having) a home and a happy, safe environment for me. So I’m here celebrating the time my country was made an actual country.”
Her younger sister Alexandria liked spending special time with special people.
“I like bonding with my family,” the seven-year-old said.
For Kristy Dunning, it was the main attraction she was waiting for, crammed in among thousands of eager partiers patiently awaiting the fireworks display to come, chowing down on the likes of kettle corn, ice cream, hot dogs and deep-fried chocolate bars.
“It’s lots of fun watching fireworks. I like them, they’re cool,” she said.
Her younger sister Kristy was also excited about the fireworks, though for a different reason.
“It means that I get to stay up late,” she said.
Canada Day took on a slightly different flavour this year. Usually the evening festivities kick off with a parade down Water Street, but construction forced the city to alter its plans a little. Few seemed to mind.
A few complaints were made in the aftermath, but city officials said they did the best they could to make sure everyone's day was enjoyable.
"We didn't have the whole park to use, so instead we used Water Street, and I think that worked very well," said Melissa Wnuk, a festivals and event co-ordinator with the city. "The inflatables were busy all night. We also had the second stage, the acoustic stage, up there and that was very busy, the artisans were very busy and the concessions were busy as well."
Wnuk said people she spoke with didn't mind having to wander out onto Water Street to enjoy all the activities.
Another complaint was the length of the $22,000 fireworks showcase, estimated at between eight and 10 minutes, about half the usual time for the annual show. Wnuk said there were just as many shot into the air, but simply over a shorter period of time.
"Instead of pausing between each one, we decided just to do them all together to make a big, spectacular show. From what I heard from people within the park they thought it was amazing, a really great finale and just consistent throughout the show," Wnuk said.
The evening festivities kicked off with a short procession of dignitaries down Camelot Street into Marina Park, a collection that included Olympic gold-medal winning women’s hockey star Haley Irwin and fellow Olympian Jason Myslicki, who competed in Nordic combined at the Vancouver Games. They were led by the police pipes and drum band.
There was music on two stages, one in the park and one adjacent to the Pagoda, featuring a mixture of original songs and covers of everything from Sweeney Todd’s Roxy Roller to Kim Mitchell’s Patio Lanterns and the Tragically Hip’s classic Canadian hit New Orleans is Sinking.
Mayor Lynn Peterson thanked the volunteers and city workers who made the celebration possible.
“ They made this an opportunity where we each can say I’m having a great time because Canada is 143 years old and I am desperately proud of being Canadian,” Peterson said.
Minister of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry Michael Gravelle (Lib., Thunder Bay-Superior North) called it a great day to recognize a great country.
“We are truly fortunate to live in this great country. I want to wish all of you our very, very best, pay tribute to our veterans for the extraordinary sacrifices they’ve made to allow us to have the type of freedom we have. This is a beautiful country, a beautiful city and we’re very lucky to be in the position we’re in,” Gravelle said.
His federal counterpart, John Rafferty (NDP, Thunder Bay-Rainy River) said whether one’s been here their entire life or moved her recently, it’s a time to reflect and appreciate the shared values Canadians hold near and dear to their hearts.
“It’s values like diversity and tolerance and social justice, respect for one another and the belief that we all belong. Canada is a place like no other,” Rafferty told the gathering crowd, “where people from all over the globe can come together and feel at home. That should make us all proud to be Canadian.”
