Jasperites young and old rang in Canada’s 147th birthday July 1, digging out their most patriotic red-and-white costumes, hats and face paints and hitting the streets for the day of birthday activities.
About 1200 people showed up to the early-morning pancake breakfast in Centennial Park, where municipal councilors and staff served up steaming stacks of pancakes to kick off the day.
Later, RCMP officers in their red surge jackets looked on at a flag raising ceremony on the information centre lawn.
After lunch, as crowds lined the streets, the Canada Day Parade wound its way through town, featuring lively floats from the likes of Friends of Jasper National Park, a pipe band decked out in kilts, the mayor on horseback and many more.
For the rest of the day families lounged in Centennial Park, munching on hot dogs and cotton candy. A few brave souls even soaped themselves up to careen down the homemade slip n’ slide that appeared on the hill.
The celebrations ended with a literal bang, as an energetic fireworks display lit up the darkening sky.
The municipality’s administrative officer Beryl Cahill said the festivities were a success, with visitors from across the world joining local Jasperites to celebrate the nation’s birthday.
Trevor Nichols
[email protected]
