Celebrating Canada Day around B.C.
Barkerville, Dawson Creek and Okanagan Valley ready to party
As if Canadians aren’t proud enough already, Canada Day is the time to celebrate being strong, proud and free. And this sesquicentennial — a big word for a big deal — marks 150 years since the colonies of Canada, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick formed the Canadian Confederation on July 1, 1867. While Vancouver will be the biggest bash outside of Ottawa, towns all across British Columbia are ready to party.
So in true patriotic fashion, pack your best red and white outfit and join the birthday party, whether you like watching a parade, participating in activities, sipping suds in the beer garden or eating your way through the day. And no matter where you are, look skyward as night falls for a show you won’t soon forget.
Barkerville
British Columbia didn’t join the Confederation until 1871, but Barkerville was the first place to celebrate Canada Day. Along with the usual activities, including tug of war, funny face contest and greasy pole climb, this year Mark Donnelly, the voice of the Vancouver Canucks home-game national anthems, will sing O Canada twice. Tear yourself away from the all-day and evening partying to view an original 1949 A.Y. Jackson (Group of Seven) painting of Barkerville’s Chinatown.
Dawson Creek
This town has a double whammy to celebrate. This year also marks the 75th anniversary of the Alaska Highway. And Mile 0 is at Dawson Creek. Dawson Creek’s mayor, Dale Bumstead, will open a time capsule from 1967. “We don’t know the contents but our history is built on agriculture so it likely contains grain seed,” he says. “One story says it was going to contain a bottle of rum but some old-timers drank it and put a note inside, saying how good it was.”
And next door, the small community of Pouce Coupe is putting on a big bash. “They put on the traditional Canada Day parade and we respect that. All of Dawson Creek participates, but they can have the glory,” adds the mayor, in typical Canuck fashion.
Victoria
This year, B.C.’s capital is gonna rock! Music and multiculturalism is the theme, and the inner harbour will be food central. Victoria has lined up two days of mainstage shows on the legislative lawns, including Canadian rock band the Arkells. And coming back from what used to be Folk Fest (15 years ago) are about a dozen food kiosks from multicultural associations, serving up their creations and charging by donation, which will help promote their culture. And maybe they can come back next Canada Day.
Take part in history by showing up on the legislative lawns at 2 p.m. “We will attempt to break the bragging record for the Canadian Living Flag,” says Alan Lowe, chair of the Greater Victoria spirit committee. “We have red and white T-shirts for participants, and we plan on giving out 5,000 T-shirts.” That should break the record.
Okanagan
Kelowna’s Canada Day always attracts over 60,000 people, so if you love to party with a crowd, look no further. Prospera Place and Waterfront Park are home to more than 50 activities. In Penticton, Gyro Park will be filled with family-fun activities and live music. And whet your appetite with market vendors, from 8 a.m. until the fireworks start on Okanagan Lake.
No matter where you celebrate, this Canada Day will go down as a great day in our country’s history.