Canada Day in Ottawa
Posted Jun 27, 2014 04:54:16 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
OTTAWA – Our nation is turning 147 on Canada Day, and close to 350,000 people are expected to converge on Parliament Hill to celebrate.
The patriotic festivities kick off at 9 a.m. with a flag-raising ceremony, followed by the Changing of the Guard at 9:30 a.m. Revellers decked out in red and white can also enjoy the Peace Tower carillon concert at 10 a.m.
Music shows will be held at 12 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and will include the following acts:
Serena Ryder
Marianas Trench
Brett Kissel
British Columbia Boys Choir
Nadja
Terry Kelly
Veronic DiCaire
Daniel Lavoie (Manitoba) – French pop, folk, rock, jazz
Whitehorse
DJ A-Rock and VJ Video Girl
The fun continues all afternoon on Parliament Hill with swing dancing on the east lawn from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Over in Major’s Hill Park, there will be various performances and displays highlighting the inspirational stories of Canada’s Olympic and Paralympic athletes.
In Jacques Cartier Park, families can take part in special activities to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the 1864 Charlottetown and Québec Conferences, which led to Canada’s Confederation.
Canada Day celebrations downtown finish with a big bang at 10 p.m.
After the evening music show finishes, fireworks will be set off from Nepean Point, just behind the National Gallery.
The grand finale can be seen from Parliament Hill but for an even better view you’re encouraged to head to the Canadian Museum of Civilization in Gatineau or Major’s Hill Park in Ottawa.
Denise Leblanc of Canadian Heritage told 1310News the event generates $93 million in spending by tourists for the region.
“Canada Day in the capital region attracts about 350 000 people,” said Leblanc, “About a third of those are people from outside of the region.”
There is also plenty of Canada Day fun to be had outside the city. Click here for a rundown.
