[edmonton canada day 2009]

Some images captured during the Canada Day parade (note: unlike may day in England where we witnessed tractors as part of the parade, here celebrations are not complete unless there is a big truck)

[happy canada day!]

Image of fireworks from itroy on flickr.


It's my first time celebrating Canada Day in Canada as a resident in the past nine years!!! And, I'll be celebrating in Edmonton. Canada is now 142 years old. We're going to be checking out the Silly Summer Parade which starts at noon (it goes from Queen Alex School, 7730 106St., heads west on Whyte Ave. to 108 St. and back to Queen Alex School for family activities - sounds great if you have wee ones). Then we're going to do a picnic and in the evening I'm hoping to catch the moment when the city's High Level bridge turns into a waterfall (21:00-23:15). After that there will be the customary fireworks (which take place here). According to the city website, some good viewing locations:

* Alberta Legislature Grounds
* Victoria Park (River Valley Road)
* Ezio Faraone Park (west entrance to High Level Bridge on 109 St. north)
* Dantzer’s Hill (below Queen Elizabeth Park)
* Government House Park (Groat Road & River Valley Road)
Note: No viewing from Kinsmen Park

Viewing Areas Accessible on Foot Only (closed to vehicles):

* River Valley Road
* Walterdale Hill Road & Queen Elizabeth Park Road
* 109 St. (between Saskatchewan Drive & the High Level Bridge)
* Access is restricted in Kinsmen Park, Walterdale Hill, High Level & Menzies Bridges after road closure times. Kinsmen playground and picnic area are closed on Canada Day.

Have a look at this amazing photo taken by labels_30 of the waterfall on Canada Day last year:

If you're local (I know I now have a few Albertans reading this blog) here are some other things you might want to do:

Alberta Legislature Canada Day Celebrations
Various activities 7:00 am - 6:00 pm

Borden Park Canada Day Celebrations
Various activities 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Canada Day Road Race 2009
South Ends of Legislature Grounds

Citizenship Ceremony
Legislative Grounds 10:00 am

City Hall Activities
11:00 am - 4:00 pm

Devon Canada Day Celebrations
Centennial Park 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Fort Edmonton Park Dominion Day
Whitemud & Fox Drive 10:00 am - 6:00 pm

Fort Saskatchewan Canada Day Celebrations
Breakfast to Fireworks 8:00 am - 11:00 pm

John Walter Museum - "Spirits Of The Past"
Sunday, June 28, 2009 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Louise McKinney Riverfront Park - Canada Day!
2:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Millwoods Celebrates Canada
2:00 pm - 11:00 pm

Muttart Conservatory Canada Day
1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Old Strathcona
Silly Summer Parade & Picnic in the Park - Whyte Avenue
12:00 pm - 3:30 pm

Spruce Grove Canada Day & Street Performers Festival
Calahoo Road and Grove Drive 8:00 am - 11:00 pm

St Albert
Lions Park 11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Strathcona County's 2009 Canada Day Festival
Broadmoor Lake Park Sherwood Park 9:00 am - 11:00 pm

The Works Art and Design Festival
Churchill Square Edmonton June 24 – July 6

Valley Zoo Canada Day & the Valley Zoo's 50th Birthday Bash!
13315 Buena Vista Rd. 11:00 am - 4:00 pm

More events are listed here.

BTW: the weather is going to be warm and sunny.

[canada day in london]