A chorus of oohs and an echo of aahs followed a percussion of bangs rippling across the sky in Mississauga last night as city residents wished their home and native land an explosive 141st birthday.
Sporting maple leafs brushed into their hair, and painted onto toes and cheeks, countless people gathered in parks, streets and parking lots to stare into the skies in eager anticipation of that first boom.
"I love this day. It's always fun to celebrate Canada Day," said Karima Panjwami, 18, of Calgary, who was in Mississauga last night clad in red-and-white and wearing a maple leaf hat that reached nearly half a metre above her head.
"I'm usually in Ottawa for the parade. They go all out there, but I'm surprised at how big a deal it is in this city this year."
There were at least 20 evening displays across the GTA. In Mississauga, the thunderous boom and illuminating sparkle of thousands of pyrotechnics exploded over the city in several locations,
Fireworks and laser lights took over the sky for the first time in more than a decade at City Hall, where several thousand people gathered to celebrate.
Mary Jane Higham of nearby Jenkins Cres. said she was looking forward to watching the fireworks from the grass by her house.
"It's been years since I saw them from my home. They're just so beautiful."
The city raised some $121,950 for the show, none of it tax dollars.
The 20-minute display formed a fitting end to a day of festivities at Mississauga City Hall that included a performance by local funnyman Mike Bullard and food — including halal hot dogs and Tim Hortons coffee — with all proceeds going to charity.
Angela Massis arrived at the Civic Centre festivities 90 minutes ahead of the fireworks to make sure she could get a good view with her two kids, Paul, 7, and Victoria, 12, who waved glow-sticks in the air and looked on with excitement as the fireworks began.
Fireworks capped the day's festivities in Streetsville and Port Credit, too.
