This Sunday, we celebrate Canada’s 145th Birthday!  The national day of Canada, a federal statutory holiday, duly commemorates the anniversary of the July 1rst 1867 enactment of the British North America Act, more commonly referred to as the Constitution Act, which saw the joining of the three colonies, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and the Province of Canada into one unified country under the British Empire.  145 years ago to the day, Canada proudly became a kingdom in its own right, shedding slowly the British Parliament’s diminished rights of political power until the last vestiges were finally surrendered in 1982 with the patriation of the Canadian constitution.  Suffice it to say; the early 20th century saw little Canadian patriotism. Most Canadians thought themselves to be primarily British and pending 1917, (the anniversary of Confederation) no official celebrations took place, nor would any continue until the following decade.  However Canada’s centennial in 1967 became a hallmark observance in the fruition of Canadian patriotism, which recognized Canada’s maturing as a separate, independent country. The Festival Canada as it was known, was thus celebrated as a nationally televised multicultural celebration thereafter.

As Canadians, we share a triumphant, and somewhat diplomatic history, reflected in the nature of the Canadian spirit: a sensitive, modest, self-effacing sort of temperament that continues to credit us with worldwide appeal and recognition.  With no central recipe on how to celebrate our patriotism, much like Canada itself, Canadians around the world observe in their own eclectic, multicultural fashion.  This weekend, Penticton celebrates Canada Day at the Penticton Lakeside Resort with an abundance of heart-felt family fun, including live entertainment, exciting food featuring currywurst (steamed pork sausage with warm home-made curry ketchup), birthday cake for everyone, face painting, arts and crafts and more! Joe’s Garage, along with young musical talents, Lucas Penner and Beamer Wiggly, will serenade our outdoor patios into the night with live music on our lake front houseboat, and will be preforming our country’s national anthem just shy of our breathtaking firework show!  So let’s O-Canada!-it together this year, with a celebratory event, not to be missed.  We’ll see you all here!

-Elizabeth Cucnik

 

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