Across Vancouver Island, people have come out to celebrate Canada Day.
On the South Island, several municipalities are holding a full day of activities.
In Victoria, on the lawn of the legislature, the event organizer says so far attendees are excited to be at the event.
“People are thrilled to be out. We’ve got tons of families already on the legislature lawn and visitors and community alike are still so happy to be back in our pre-COVID universe,” said Dione Costanzo, marketing and promotions director for Blue Coast Event Group, which is the company contracted for the Canada Day events.
“We’ve got lots of action going on and the excitement is just building.”
The day is packed with activities ranging from musical performances, Indigenous presentations and art, food trucks, and kid-friendly activities.
To cap off the day, there will be a fireworks display starting at 10:20 p.m. over Victoria’s Inner Harbour.
For Eddy Charlie, from Orange Shirt Day Victoria, which has set up a booth down at the legislature, Canada Day is a good opportunity to talk about the history of the country.
“Indigenous people have been left out of the history books for too long, and I think that it’s time for Canada to hear the history of residential schools, the impact that residential schools had on families that lost children to residential schools, and to children who were harmed and then came back and lost their identity,” Charlie said.
“And I want people to understand that and have a conversation about that.”
Elsewhere on the South Island, celebrations in Saanich at Gorge Park will last until 4 p.m.
People at this celebration can also expect musical entertainment, and dragon boat and canoe rides on top of other entertainment and activities.
The City of Langford is holding Canada Day celebrations for the second year.
In 2022, Langford held its first ever Canada Day in connection with the city’s 30th anniversary.
The festivities returned to Starlight Stadium in 2023 with events running from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
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On the rest of the Island, many municipalities are holding events.
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-With files from CHEK’s Tchadas Leo, Roger Collins
Laura Brougham
