Happy Birthd'eh!

HAPPY CANADA DAY!

Canadians aren't generally in your face, outwardly patriotic people, but that doesn't mean we aren't proud of our great country! I'm so happy to be back at home to celebrate Canada's 144th birthday and kick off the month of July.

Every year possible, I hit up the parade and fireworks celebration with my BFF and her family. This morning, bright and early, we set out to the park to claim front row seats for the parade. The weather (in the shade) was wonderful. I could have sat there people watching for hours and hours. Let's just say this town is full of "interesting" individuals.

Inside the park there are booths set up with lots of ethnic foods to choose from. Seriously, I don't know if the people who run these booths come to this small town only on Canada Day or what, but if they actually live here, they must do so in hiding. It's typically not what I'd consider a multicultural city.. but either way it doesn't matter, the food is good!
While waiting for the parade to start, I stopped at the Polish stand and ordered homemade pierogies. These weighed five pounds in my hand so I can just imagine what they're doing in my stomach, but obviously they were really delicious!
My favourite parade float includes the guys below who, although you're unable to see it clearly here, wear huge elf shoes. I want a pair.
I also enjoy the dudes below who drive around in their mini cars. It must take a lot of practice to get in and out of these cars gracefully. In previous years the drivers would just about give me a heart attack and drive all crazy fast in circles, but maybe they're not allowed to do this anymore?
Now I'm sorry to say, but the parade is really.. I don't know how to say this nicely.. awful? Perhaps it's because we sit near the end of the route and by the time the parade passes by, all of the musicians are sweating up a storm, the gymnasts look like they're ready to faint, and 3/4 of the people sitting on the floats aren't even cracking a smile. This year it also seemed like the floats sped by so once a band started playing, I could only hear five seconds of their song before they were long gone. Maybe I am just a parade snob.

But you know what? Watching the parade is a tradition that I never want to miss. I love it - everyone is out enjoying life, spending time with family and friends, and celebrating being Canadian!

Have a happy and safe Canada Day!