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Celebrating Canada Day 2019
The Essential Guide to Being Truly Canadian
There's never a better day to be Canadian than on July 1st! With all our northern quirks, "sorryisms", and love for a Timmies large double double, it's really no surprise that every Canadian – from sea to shining sea – enjoys our nation's special day in one way or another. If you haven't thought about how you'll celebrate, or are looking for some fresh ideas, here are a few that will help you make the most of the day.
Get outside
As Canadians, we are well known for being friendly and outdoorsy, so combine the two and get outside. Visit with your neighbours. Take in a parade. Have a picnic in the park. Plan a hike with friends. Or, just get into the city and enjoy the hustle and bustle with strangers. Major cities always have lots going on with free events for families to enjoy.
Get Sporty
If you like sports this could be the ideal way to spend July 1st with your family. Most major cities host baseball games with fun activities, opportunities for autographs, and fireworks to finish it off. Or, if you're not into baseball, check your city's calendar of events and look for other teams to cheer on. You can also participate or be a supportive spectator in a running race. Check out these popular local 5k, 10k, and 1k family fun runs.
White Rock: Canada Day Rock
Vancouver UBC: Run Canada Day
Vancouver Wesbrook: Run Canada Day
Kamloops: Get Canadian
Peachland: Peachland Beach Run
Edmonton: Canada Day Road Race
Host A Canadian Bar-b-que
Nothing screams Canadian than smelling some good ol' back bacon grilling on the bar-b-que. Try adding some maple syrup for an extra dose of nationalism. If bacon is not your thing, a couple of burgers, some good friends, and a Canadian flag flying in the wind will suffice. Throw in your favorite beverage choices and you'll be all set.
Eat Something Canadian
While we did touch on back bacon, there are lots of other yummy dishes every Canadian foodie can appreciate. Some aren't hard to find – we're looking at you, poutine! - while others rank more on the rare side. If you're feeling adventurous, or want to try making authentic Canadian fare yourself, check out the Food Network's Great Canadian Cookbook - 30 Iconic Canadian Foods You Can Make At Home. This is a fantastic list and has fun recipes to satisfy any Canadian craving such as: Chalet Rotisserie Chicken, Timbits, Montreal style bagels, Sucre a la cream, and the unusual Pemmican.
Show Your Canadian Pride
Get a tattoo! Not a real one of course, unless you're into that, just a temporary stick and wet one that will wash off...eventually. Or, if you're looking for something with a little less of a commitment, grab some patriotic clothing items, such as t-shirts, hats, socks, or even some shades, before they're gone. However, you decide to show off your style, take the day to embrace our nation's colours.
Watch the Fireworks
Canada Day wouldn't be complete without finishing the day with a grand finale of fireworks. Always a crowd pleaser, and often a free event put on by the city, this is a great way to unite communities, hang with family and friends, and generally end the day well.
Here are listings of fireworks in your community:
July 1st is just around the corner, so start planning, prepare yourself to try something new, and get excited about living in one of the world's best countries. However, you choose to spend Canada Day this year, we hope it's a good one, EH?!