Fireworks explode behind the Peace Tower on Parliament Hill during Canada Day celebrations in Ottawa on July 1, 2015.

Fireworks explode behind the 'Victory and Peace' Tower of the Centre Block on Parliament Hill during Canada Day celebrations in Ottawa on July 1, 2015.
Photo Credit: Justin Tang/Canadian Press

Happy Birthday Canada!

Today, July 1st, is Canada’s national holiday and this year marks the country’s 149th birthday.

As it’s a long weekend, many will be heading out of the cities for short vacations, perhaps to cottages or national parks and campgrounds but for millions of others, there are parades, and concerts, and celebrations in cities and towns all across the country.

The Royal Canadian Air Force precision flying team, the Snowbirds, are always a thrill during Canada Day ceremonies.
The Royal Canadian Air Force precision flying team, the Snowbirds, are always a thrill during Canada Day ceremonies. © ottawatourism

The biggest event, which always attracts a huge crowd, is on the lawn in front of Canada’s Parliament in the capital Ottawa. There were an estimated 25-thousand party goers at the 2014 celebration.

Canadian synth-rockers Metric will be back on Parliament Hill for Canada Day, just one of the popular acts set for this year’s festivities. ’There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t appreciate how lucky I am to call Canada home,’ says bandleader Emily Haines.
Canadian synth-rockers Metric will be back on Parliament Hill for Canada Day, just one of the popular acts set for this year’s festivities. ’There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t appreciate how lucky I am to call Canada home,’ says bandleader Emily Haines. © Patrick Doyle/Ottawa Bluesfest/Canadian Press

With great summer weather in the capital, the crowd is expected to be at least that many, and likely thousands more.

There will of course be some great performances by Canadian recording artists along with the typical pageantry.

Members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police salute during singing of the national Anthem at Canada Day celebrations in Ottawa
Members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police salute during singing of the national Anthem at Canada Day celebrations in Ottawa © ottawatourism

The evening fireworks display is always a huge hit and this year there’s an added aspect. The Canadian Heritage department says this year’s fireworks are a “pyromusical” spectacle featuring a Canadian soundtrack that will play in synch with the dazzling explosions.

Evening fireworks in front of the Centre Block of Parliament showing the vast crowd on the Parliament Hill grounds and spreading across the street and further into the city. With excellent weather today in Ottawa, more than 25-thousand people are expected to jam onto the Hill and downtown Ottawa.
Evening fireworks in front of the Centre Block of Parliament showing the vast crowd on the Parliament Hill grounds and spreading across the street and further into the city. With excellent weather today in Ottawa, more than 25-thousand people are expected to jam onto the Hill and downtown Ottawa. © ottawatourism

The event will also be televised nationally starting an noon local time in Ottawa (ET)

And for a look at an event of years past, here’s a CBC news report from 1977

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