Plenty of people of all ages celebrated Canada Day in White Rock on Monday, July 1, packing the waterfront promenade, Memorial Park and West Beach to enjoy Canada Day by the Bay festivities.
Wearing red, white and maple leaves all over, proud local residents – more than an estimated 35,000 – were waving the Canadian flag proudly as they gathered to take part, with it also featured on headbands, earrings, shirts, hats and more. Vendor booths lined the promenade as far as the eye could see, featuring colourful gazebos and wares ranging from soaps to jams and jellies, clothing, wind chimes, handmade wood cutting and cribbage boards, and much more.
With a noon start, the free, family-friendly event had already attracted hundreds of people before it started, with the smells of food truck offerings wafting through Memorial Park and beyond, from mini doughnuts and hot dogs to popcorn, from pizza and rolled gelato to the free popsicles Thrifty Foods was handing out for free.
White Rock Mayor Megan Knight and other dignitaries spoke to officially open the event, including Surrey-White Rock MLA Trevor Halford and South Surrey-White Rock MP Kerry-Lynne Findlay.
"I'm just happy to b here with you all today – I love this country, I love this community!" Findlay said. "We are in the best place in the whole country are we not? Isn't it beautiful here?"
The gathered crowd agreed raucously, cheering and applauding with noisy appreciation.
Knight invited anyone who wished to reaffirm their Canadian citizenship to repeat the Oath of Citizenship and read it out loud, with many repeating the words.
After thanking everyone for being there, Knight reminded everyone the festivities would run all day, culminating with a fireworks show.
"Have a great Canada Day everyone!" she said, to cheers and applause.
A variety of entertainment and activities – including an interactive Kids’ Zone, mini golf, a scavenger hunt, photo booth and face painting – kept everyone busy, while Memorial Park Mainstage hosted day-long, diverse dance performances and live music, kicked off with the opening ceremonies.
Headliner The Hip Replacements, a tribute to iconic Canadian band The Tragically Hip, took the stage at 8:30 p.m., after En Karma at 7 p.m.
Fireworks lit up the sky with their brilliance later to conclude the fun, starting at 10:15 p.m., with plenty of red and white featured in the colourful explosions.
Knight was pleased with the event's success and fantastic turnout.
“Thank you to the thousands of visitors who came to the waterfront for the Canada Day by the Bay!” she said Tuesday.
“We hope everyone enjoyed the cultural performances and live music at Memorial Park, the fun in the Kid’s Zone, and the evening fireworks display. The community truly came together to celebrate and connect.”