Thousands of people in communities across the region enjoyed Canada Day celebrations on Wednesday, July 1.
In L’Orignal, the mid-week festivities began during the evening on Tuesday, June 30. Champlain Township’s main Canada Day event at L’Orignal Park was presented by the Association des pompiers de L’Orignal Firefighter’s Association, the Knights of Columbus, and the township. Justin Roy and his band were on stage to entertain the crowd. There were numerous food vendors. Moose Antlers, L’Orignal’s version of the Beavertail, were extremely popular and also a fundraiser for the L’Orignal Food Bank. Fortunately, weather was not a factor on Tuesday evening and the fireworks display in L’Orignal went ahead. On Wednesday, July 1, activities and entertainment to celebrate Canada Day continued at L’Orignal Park.
On Canada Day itself, weather affected the various events happening across the region. After a heavy thunderstorm rolled easterly along the Ottawa River around noon, skies cleared, but it was very hot at Confederation Park in Hawkesbury where a flag raising ceremony was held at 1 pm. The ceremony was presented with the assistance of Royal Canadian Legion Branch 472 and local army cadets.
“Canada Day is also a time for gratitude,” Prescott-Russell-Cumberland Member of Parliament Giovanna Mingarelli said after the flag was raised. She said it is a day to show gratitude for what individuals and organizations do in the community, to celebrate tradition, and establish new ones.
“Canada is built here in places like Hawkesbury,” Mingarelli said.
She said the day is a celebration of the values that bring Canadians together. Mingarelli described those values as freedom, respect, generosity, inclusion, and hope for a better future.
Hawkesbury Mayor Robert Lefebvre noted the celebration of the 159th anniversary of Canada was being celebrated in Confederation Park, which is named after 1867 act that joined Ontario, Québec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia into Canada.
Lefebvre paid tribute to the members of the armed forces who have served to help make Canada what he described as “God’s Country.”
Other local Canada Day celebrations took place in Lefaivre, East Hawkesbury, Alexandria, and Clarence-Rockland. Unfortunately, by late afternoon, severe weather returned to the region with a series of heavy thunderstorms. This led to celebrations being closed down and fireworks displays being rescheduled for other dates.
Celebration at L’Orignal Park. Photos: James Morgan
Hawkesbury flag raising
Lefaivre Riverfront Park
