Canada's Big Birthday Bash (Updated)

The North Bay Waterfront was alive with activity today as families celebrated Canada’s birthday.

For the second year in a row the rainy weather didn’t dampen spirits, as children of all ages ran from activity to activity trying their hand at hockey, tug-of-war and face painting to name a few.

Even Americans got in on the act, as the group of young men from ‘Campus Crusade for Christ’ ran the tug-of-war event.

The group is in the Bay to share their message and help out by performing community services such as painting the Greenwood Church and guard-rails on the Trout Lake Overpass for Communities in Bloom.

“I’m looking forward to the fireworks and this has been a fun event on the lakefront,” states Tyler Munn, Miami University student from Oxford Ohio.

A family from Grimsby in the Niagara region said they where pleasantly surprised with the location and the activities.

“I wish we had this, the facility offers so much for the family, not just a typical bean bag toss,” says Michele Vanwanrooy.

Vanwanrooy and her family are on vacation camping at Samuel De Champlain Park and have been taking in all the sites including the Talon Chutes and today’s celebration.

“It is absolutely gorgeous here and we’ve seen so much wildlife, more that we imagined.”

Highlights of the daytime activities were the singing of the national anthem ‘O’Canada’, sailboat regatta and sampling the ACT/Clarion Birthday Cake.

The celebration continues tonight at 8:00 p.m. (or dusk) with the Rotary Club’s Movie in the Park “CURIOUS GEORGE” at the Kiwanis Bandshell. The Fireworks Finale is scheduled for 10:00 p.m.