There are a host a special events and celebrations going on around the city today as Mississaugans prepare to celebrate our nation's 141st birthday in style.
There are major community gatherings planned for City Hall, in Port Credit and tonight in Streetsville, not to mention a day-long party in Malton. In addition to the larger events, a number of smaller neighbourhood parties are planned across the city.
And, of course, there are plenty of fireworks planned for this evening, including at City Hall, where tonight's dazzling laser show and pyrotechnics will be the first such celebration in 20 years. The show starts at 10 p.m.
There will be major displays of fireworks in Port Credit, starting at 9:15 p.m. in Port Credit Memorial Park, and in Streetsville, beginning at 10 p.m. in Streetsville Memorial Park.
The day's events get underway this morning at City Hall when Judge Saleem Akhtar, Mayor Hazel McCallion and special guest Yoshinori Takenaka, the mayor of our sister city in Kariya, Japan, preside over the annual Canada Day Citizenship Court Ceremonies.
Other highlights of the day include the official opening ceremonies at City Hall at 1 p.m. Everyone planning to attend is asked to bring a non-perishable food item too support Foodpath.
In Port Credit, where the celebration is entitled Paint The Town Red, popular local merchant Johnny Bozzo will cut a giant cake and they'll sing O, Canada! starting at 1 p.m. at Bozzo's La Villa Bakery, at the corner of Wenonah Ave. and Lakeshore Rd.
In Malton, Proud To Be A Canadian celebrations get underway this morning at 10 a.m. and run all day at Wildwood Park.
In Streetsville, where the village is celebrating its 150th anniversary, the fun starts this afternoon at 4 p.m.
Smaller gatherings are planned for Iceland from 11:30 a.m.to 1:30 a.m. for residents of Ward 5 and at Huron Park, where federal Liberal heavyweight Bob Rae will join Mississauga Erindale MP Omar Alghabra to host a gathering.
Finally, Mississauga-Erindale MPP Harinder Takhar, Ward 6 city councillor Carolyn Parrish and Alghabra are scheduled to attend a "Canada Day Flag Hosting and Recognition Ceremony" at Shalimar International Housing Corp.
gtimbers@mississauga.net
