We always head downtown for Canada Day Activities, We go early and beat the crowds etc.
The Logo for this year's Festivities seemed to be new. It was quite similar to the one from the 150th "birthday' in 2017
With Parliament Hill having been a construction site for the past 5(?) and the next 15(?) years the main activity area (LeBreton Flatts) is west of Parliament Hill in an area that was cleared in the 1960's but never developed as planned. It is gradually being developed with housing and public institutions.
There are still some activities on Parliament Hill - the speeches, changing of the guard etc.
The buses and trains are free so we grabbed a train not far from the house. A few others were heading down early as well
Last year we were so early that we were first in line before the grounds opened. This year the grounds had opened before we got there and the crowds were, as expected quite thin. When we left LeBreton Flats around 11:30am to head to Parliament Hill the lines were quite long to get in.
Once inside the security check, the grounds were active. The line for a free drink from Tim Hotons (Blue truck(??) was a good 20 to 25 minutes long. Last year we were maybe 2nd or 3rd with no wait.
A number of places were offering free samples. Although Giant Tiger (local discount store) was out of small bags of chips, and slinkies, within an hour
As usual there were a number of free activity areas for kids. rock climbing, learn to be a DJ, face drawing and a lounge area (with no apparent time limit).
There was a soap bubble area too, but the kids seemed to be having trouble with the largish wands
The big stage for a noon-hour concert and the evening concert was quite impressive.
There were two side stages with local talent changing every half hour or so
There are always a few "characters" and people with carefully made-up faces
Captain Canada makes an appearance regularly , this year with an accompanying sign carrier
Scenes along the way to Parliament Hill,. Lots of food vendors.....
No one seemed to mind the 2km walk despite the high 20's temperatures and hugh 30's humidex
A Hare Krishna group had a small performance "tent"
I also bumped into another character who seems to be there every year
Parliament Hill was not crowded as there was little to do there. The changing of the guard was over and various people were speaking. Prime Minister Carney was on the podium when I arrived. There were large flags on the building housing the PM's offices across the street. (The panorama image is rather odd if you look at the centre section of it)
As in previous years there were police on every corner, police on bikes, in golf carts and had we made it to the Market, likely police on horseback. Paramedics were plentiful as well, on foot, on bikes and AFVs
There were lots of volunteers with large signs indicating their services - Information and Lost children. Gwen kept threatening to put me in a lost children tent because I kept wandering off and then had to try finding her.
There were a number of spots with blocking apparatus to prevent vehicle incursions. At least one drone was in operation
I was hoping to get a decent video of the Snowbirds as they flew over Parliament Hill and on to LeBreton Flats at noon. Well....... I assumed they would fly over the Hill first and then on to LeBreton Flats. I stood for 20 minutes looking, ready in the direction of Parliament Hill. At about 12:15 ,out of the corner of my eye I saw someone point in the other direction - just as the jets flew right over my head from behind me !!
The resultant video is an example of how NOT to do a video and here for a laugh or head shake
There are two spots where groups of flags fly everyday, but they seem to catch your eye more on canada Day