Codename: Maple: Happy Canada Day

Report 1: July, 2011

Celebrating Canada Day on July 1st rather than Independence day on the 4th of July was more unsettling than I thought it would be for this American Eagle. Weather here was gorgeous, folks were friendly as can be and there were lots of fireworks to be had. And yet, it didn't stir one heart string when Canadians sang their national anthem. It just made me miss mine all that much more. I had to remind myself I'm here to blend in and send updates to the people back home. So we hit the ground running for a long holiday weekend starting with the Canada Day Parade:

We start off the parade with the RCMP

This was a sister bicycle trick team from Germany

They were followed by a German marching band . As a side note, the small Canadian flag in the bottom right corner of the picture were given away by parade volunteers. It was pretty cool seeing everyone walking around with a flag.

This troupe did full acrobatics down South Park Street inside those wheels

These are the French Motorcycle Police Force. Seems they put on quite a show while doing some crazy synchronized driving.

Here's the local chapter of Firefighters along with their volunteer bagpipe band. Their oldest bagpiper looked well into her 90's and was keeping up with them all!

Yay! A United States Marine Division joined the parade in support of Halifax.

It's now mid afternoon and we heard from some locals that the Halifax Citadel Park is open for free on Canada Day. We walked a few blocks, made the steep climb up to the highest point in the city and took a tour of how the city used to defend itself back in the day. We were even lucky enough to catch the Mayor's speech and a free maple leaf pin.

There are great vintage posters and informative displays throughout the park

Nothing like a narrow entrance to keep your enemy packed in tight while fighting your way inside

Quick side view of the murder holes and distance between the first wall and main fortress

The garrison hall was impressive. We could have easily spent a few hours going from room to room reading and listening to all the wonderful stories posted throughout the building.

Inside the main parade ground

Meet Parka! He's the Parks Canada's new mascot. He was born in Canada's largest national park - Wood Buffalo National Park - in the worlds largest beaver dam.

The Highland regiment in their finest

Here they are again showing off some standard bayonet moves (pardon the distance on the photo. Goose and I were walking the outer wall when we saw the display)