Then, the country becomes awash in a sea of red and white. And so it was today as thousands gathered at the Mississauga Civic Centre for the largest bash in the city, to mark Canada’s 141st birthday.
They came from a multitude of cultural backgrounds, young and old, sported all sizes of the Canadian flag.
It was party time.
“I love my country,” said Mississaugan Shelley Nodwell, who has attended the celebrations at City Hall for the last 15 years. “It’s about patriotism. I like coming to this event because I enjoy seeing people from different cultures. I enjoy talking to the people."
“It’s a sense of pride in being Canadian,” said 18-year-old Daniel Bennett, Nodwell’s nephew. Bennett, who studied at Gordon Graydon Secondary School, has attended the City Hall party every year since he was three.
The party at the Civic Centre continued throughout the day, featuring live entertainment by Downchild, Marshall Dane and Mississauga’s own illScarlett, a Juno nominee.
There was Max and Ruby from Treehouse TV and a Kids Zone at the Living Arts Centre. The Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors and the Toronto Blue Jays had displays at the party and Bridgestone Motorsports had Sebastien Bourdais’ Champ Car and Michael Schumacher’s 2003 Formula 1 Ferrari on display.
And the evening will wind up with the first-ever fireworks display at the Civic Centre, one of several fireworks shows around the city.
Over in Port Credit they were busy Painting The Town Red, and nothing says Happy Canada Day like a 1200-pound cake.
That's what blocked off Wenonah Ave. this afternoon in Port Credit as hundreds of people gathered at La Villa Bakery, celebrating one of Port Credit's Paint The Town Red events.
"The cake's eight feet by 16 feet," said event chair Johnny Bozzo. "We wanted to have the largest cake in Canada, so hopefully it is."
For Emma Gollanek, this was her first Canada Day celebration.
"I like the cake," said the six-year-old Port Credit resident.
"The best thing about Canada is the freedom and diversity," added her parents, Sharon and Rob Gollanek. "Over the years the community has become more involved and you're now seeing more flags."
Apart from the cake, guests were treated to live entertainment by The Marauders and an autograph signing session from former Toronto Maple Leafs Mark Osborne and Peter Ihnacak.
Mayor Hazel McCallion, who was on hand for the official cake cutting ceremony, said the celebrations are getting bigger every year.
"We're celebrating all over the city," said McCallion. "Every community in Mississauga is holding their own celebrations and it's great to see."
The night will be rounded out with fireworks at Port Credit Memorial Park.
Across the Credit River, the Royal Canadian Legion-Port Credit Branch 82, hosted its annual community barbeque.
"This year is definitely bigger," said Legion vice-president Joe Lucchetta. "I'm seeing a lot of new faces as well as the old ones."
Gina Leboeuf, who has been living in Port Credit for more than 40 years, said she appreciates Canada Day more year after year.
"When you get older, you start to realize how great of a country Canada is," said Leboeuf. "Canada Day is being around family and friends and having a good time."
Meanwhile, in Malton, the Guru Nanak Community Services Foundation held its inaugural Proud to be Canadian celebrations at Wildwood Park.
More than 400 people gathered at the park, enjoying live entertainment, food, prizes, and the singing of O, Canada!
"The response is overwhelming for our first event," said GNCSF president Gurdip Thethi, 61, who came to Canada in 1975. "This event was put together so we can all come under one umbrella and celebrate being Canadian as one."
Performances included Bollywood dances, Chinese folk dance and several singing performances from the youth of Malton.
"I think the best part of being Canadian is the opportunity and freedom to be yourself," said Lincoln M. Alexander Secondary School student Ramsha Khan. "Every year Canada's population is increasing and more people are celebrating."
In Streetsville, which is celebrating its 150th anniversary, the party crowd was smaller than the one at the Civic Centre, but no less enthusiastic.
Hundreds of people jammed onto Main Street between Queen and Church late in the afternoon to sing and dance to live entertainment. There was a Rotary Club barbecue and face-painting for the youngsters among the attractions.
Councillor George Carlson (Ward 11) was the emcee, introducing bands and handling a trivia contest about Streetsville and Canada.
At dusk, a pipe and drums band will lead people on a candlelight parade along Church St. to Memorial Park for the annual fireworks display.
