Canadians–and some Amercians–from all over flocked to Charlotte County to celebrate Canada’s 158th birthday.

This year’s Canada Day celebrations felt ever more poignant as Canadians have re-embraced what it means to be Canadian over the last couple months. 

As our national identity continues to evolve, Charlotte County did what it always does on July 1–get dressed up in red and white and celebrate Canada’s birthday with all due pomp and circumstance. 

Saint Andrews lived up to its usual hype for Canada Day with its much anticipated parade, car show, market, and concerts. 

Although the town’s usual firework night cap of the Canada Day festivities was postponed to New Brunswick Day, Merven Hanselpacker Saint Andrews Manager of Recreation said this year’s events in Saint Andrews were a success even with the weather uncertainty.

With more floats than last year and more cars in the car show, Hanselpacker said it was great to see so many people from the community and elsewhere celebrate Canada Day in Saint Andrews. 

Although Hanselpacker is waiting to see the data, he said vendors were pleasantly surprised with the turnout.

Although some performers dropped out due to the weather he said the late night festivities like the DJ’s and the hypnotist were well received. 

Not only did Canadians from across the province and country descend on Saint Andrews, folks from the U.S. also disguised themselves in red and white to partake in Canada’s birthday. 

While on the street broadcasting the parade, the CHCO-TV crew met Americans from Georgia, Massachusetts, Vermont, Maine, etc… many looking to escape only for a short while to embrace the red and white on their neighbours birthday. 

“Every year we have to come out to celebrate and participate in the parade,” said Kola Garber, a resident of Fredericksburg, Virginia here to visit family who live and work in Saint Andrews. 

Joined by her mother, Tooie Garber, who said she felt there were a lot more people this year than previous celebrations she has attended.

“It’s been kind of crazy actually,” said vendor Jonathan Roy of Hilltop Maple Products from up in Elmsville. “From about eleven o’clock on it’s been packed.”

“There’s no other symbol really than a maple leaf,” Roy said unsurprisingly when asked what his favourite Canadian symbol is.

But Saint Andrews wasn’t the only town in Charlotte County to make a splash for the nation’s birthday.

St. Stephen celebrated Canada Day with a busy family-oriented event on the waterfront featuring a vendor’s market, amusement rides, an inflatable play area and even free hotdogs provided by King’s Church St Stephen.

“We love our country, community, and town and believe God does too,” said Shawna Stubbs. “We wanted to show His love to the town.”

Alex Henderson said he appreciated how kid-friendly the event was, as his daughter Lillian headed for the inflatables, which were swarmed with dozens of young children and their families.

“We’re here every year to celebrate the traditions of Canada,” said Glen Fernandez, attending with his four kids. “We love to be here as Canadians to celebrate our history.”

And this year there was extra enthusiasm for the celebration, given the political tensions with the neighbouring United States. When the national anthem was played to open the festivities, attendees were asked to “sing loud enough so they can hear us”.

“It feels a bit different this year,” said Henderson.

Kathy Bockus, MLA for St. Croix, said she saw a lot more patriotism this year, from the “Never 51” signs on the road between St. Stephen and St. Andrews, to the impressive turnout at both events. “People need this, we need to celebrate together,” she said. “We can put all our other differences aside and celebrate who we are. We are Canada, period.”

St. George also had some celebrations with local MLA Ian Lee and other speakers addressing the crowd. Along with Lee the local RCMP were there to raise the Canadian flag.

– with files from Brian Owens and Barb Rayner.