Guelph celebrated Canada Day at Riverside Park, with a special array of fireworks rocking the grounds for Canada 150.
People from across the city, Ontario, and even beyond gathered at Riverside Park during the day for face painting, food vendors and more for the Guelph Rotary’s annual “Day in the Park” event.
Happy Canada Day #Guelph! Feeling very blessed to be living in this city! #Thankful #GuelphProud pic.twitter.com/SqGGMTAmrR
— Cam Guthrie (@CamGuthrie) July 2, 2017
Many on social media described the fireworks show as one of the best they had ever seen, expressing their satisfaction at Saturday’s events.
Riverside Park on Saturday was a mosaic of people coming together to experience celebrations of the country they reside in.
Seniors, families, young adults and wandering high schoolers were busily milling about, talking to each other, and listening to the Guelph Concert Band, No Fixed Address, and other performers, while munching on food from more than a dozen vendors.
When O’ Canada had finished ringing out from the main stage, fireworks popped off instantly and lasted for several minutes, ending Canada Day in a special moment.
Best firework display I’ve ever seen. My kids were spellbound, as was I. #GuelphProud #RedAndWhite #Canada150
— Ryan Toxopeus (@RyanToxopeus) July 2, 2017
Earlier on Saturday, the Mayor welcomed 30 Guelphites as new Canadian citizens at the Evergreen Seniors Centre.
The ceremonies were originally planned to be held outside at Riverside during the festivities there but it was moved indoors due to the rain.
According to Immigration and Citizenship Canada, there were 55 other swearing-ins across the country on July 1.
Some immigrated for a better life, jobs and education, according to the Guelph Mercury Tribune.
The Tribune quoted Sarabjeet Gill, who moved from India, as searching for a “better life.”
Gill said Canada had a better “system of government. good education and better prospects.”
Around 235,000 immigrants arrive in Canada per year, according to Statistics Canada. The Guelph-Wellington Local Immigration Partnership says an average of 700 new arrivals in Canada annually.
According to 2011 census data, 21% of the population of the city was born outside Canada.
Image 1 by the Guelph Updater. Image 2 from Mayor Cam Guthrie’s social media.
