This July 1st Canadians across the country are celebrating the 155th birthday of Canada and the 77th year of Canadian citizenship.
In North Bay, the theme Canada Pride was at the forefront at the city's waterfront, as people joined to celebrate a vision of youth, sport, history, and multiculturalism.
It was the return of Canada Day festivities that were curtailed when COVID protocols were put in place.
“We’re so excited. It has been a long two years and now we can get back into pre-pandemic kinds of events. So, we’re really excited to be able to host something here on July 1st,” said Bryan Kimber, Community Development Coordinator with the City of North Bay.
“The theme this year is Canada Pride. So we’re hoping people enjoy showing their pride in being Canadian.”
One noticeable change from previous Canada Day events was the elimination of the traditional cake cutting ceremony.
“We’re not doing that this year because we feel being in a spread-out environment in front of the Kiwanis Bandshell gives people a chance to social distance and just be able to have their own space here,” said Kimber.
The day kicked off early with the Canada Day Road Race along Memorial Drive.
The overall men’s winner for the 5 k event is first-time participant Chris Angelatos of Toronto, who finished the race with a time of 15 minutes and 57 seconds.
“We are just here having fun,” said Angelatos who shared what made Canada Day special to him.
“My grandpa came over from Italy in the 1920s and he would always tell us that Canada is the greatest country in the world. And I still believe that, so it is nice to be here.”
The top female winner with a time of 22:41 is Erin Fettes, who is a past participant.
“It is just lovely to do stuff again. It is nice to see people out enjoying themselves,” said Fettes who was equally as proud to be celebrating Canada Day.
“I love Canada. I love being out here, it is such a beautiful spot.”
The Canada Day Race has a longstanding relationship with North Bay’s official Canada Day celebrations.
“It is the 50th running. It would have been the 52nd but we took two years off for COVID, “ explained Frank Caruso, who co-founded the race back in 1971, before passing the reigns over to Cosmo Ianiro.
Caruso makes a point to return to North Bay after moving to Toronto, to help out with the race he started, on a day that has such important significance for his family.
“My family came to Canada from Italy in the early 50s and we love Canada. We chose to be here. We made a decision to come to Canada to live here, the whole family. So Canada Day has always been special to me.”
Representatives from all three levels of government spoke during the noon-hour opening ceremonies.
Nipissing-Timiskaming MP Anthony Rota reflected on the day saying Canada takes the best that the world has to offer.
“We can be very proud of that. The fabric of Canada is made up of people from all around the world,” said Rota who also admitted the past couple of years hasn’t been easy.
“If you look at what has happened during the last two years, people were frustrated because of COVID and that is understandable, but now we’re coming out of it and you’re seeing people become Canadian again if you will. Overall Canadians are moving forward and the world looks to Canada for leadership when it comes to kindness, help, and just being a good human being.”
Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli agreed with Rota sharing his own personal experiences when travelling the world as the Minister of Trade.
“When they know you’re from Canada, they know it is a friendly place. It is all about the type of living that we have here,” said Fedeli.
“They envy some of what we have, they look to come here. Canada just has that global reputation as a stable and peaceful place. So I would say thank you to our military It is because of our military that we have the freedoms that we enjoy today.”
North Bay Mayor Al McDonald wrapped up the speeches by saying the city offers a sense of community, “where we all feel the responsibility to help those who need it the most.”
McDonald went on to say, “And that we stick up for one another. It is a spirit of kindness and a spirit of community that makes us special as a country. But more importantly, as citizens of North Bay a city that we love and as Northerners, we stick together.”
The dignitaries were also available to help present bicycles to the two winners of a school-wide poster challenge. The theme of the 13th annual Canada Day Poster Challenge was “Canada Pride.”
Students from elementary schools were invited to draw how people, places, and events have made us proud of our country.
Grade 6 student, Kyla Gauthier, a student at Ecole Heritage, won a shiny new bike for her illustration.
“I have the Canadian flag, parliament, and the CN tower and I also have some of the Great Lakes, some mittens, an inukshuk, a military badge, poutine, and maple syrup,” explained Gauthier.
“I’m really excited,” the youngster said about winning her bike.
The winner of the other bike is Gabriel Guevara Vargas a grade 5 student at Ecole St. Raymond.
“We were asked to draw something that shows Canada’s Pride and show the beauty of Canada for our contest. So I decided to draw a moose, a little landscape like mountains, and a dream catcher to show First Nations and I drew a little text that says I’m proud to be Canadian in French,’ explained Guevara Vargas.
“I’m proud to be Canadian because of the freedom, and because of the natural beauty. Canada is just beautiful,” shared the youngster whose parents were born in Mexico.
The presentations were followed by the singing of O Canada by a children’s choir.
The afternoon was filled with local entertainment at the Kiwanis Bandshell, and a Canada Day Kidz Zone with plenty of activities for the children.
Little five-year-old Jaidyn was excitedly running around, sporting a maple leaf headband, necklace, and red dress.
“It is very special, and there is a party here,” said the youngster when asked why she likes Canada Day.
Mom, Melissa Shank had her own reasons for attending the waterfront activities with her family.
“It is good to celebrate and be proud of where we’re from. “
Fireworks were on the agenda to wrap up the day, but were cancelled due to high winds.
