Don't miss Canada Day at NDDHS
by Brandon Mayer
This year’s Canada Day celebrations will take place at North Dundas District High School, the same as in the previous two years. The event will exclusively offer the free fireworks display, the quality of which has amazed locals in the past few years. The fireworks will start at 9:30pm, and continue as late as 10:15pm. Funding for the event is made possible through the federal Department of Canadian Heritage.
In a previous Times article, historian David Shanahan gives insight into the history of Canada Day: “Canada Day has become such a central part of the Canadian year that it is easy to forget that it is a very recent arrival on the scene. On October 27, 1982, the Parliament of Canada initiated Canada Day following the repatriation of the Canadian Constitution that year. Before 1982, July 1 was known as Dominion Day, and had been acknowledged as Canada’s birthday from the date when the British North America Act came into force in 1867. The following year, 1868, the Governor General at the time suggested that Canadians celebrate Dominion Day as their National Holiday.
“Surprisingly, Dominion Day was not itself a major event for decades after 1867. It took another ten years before there was any legislation passed in recognition of the holiday. In fact, the first official government celebration of Dominion Day only happened in 1917, on the 50th anniversary of Confederation. The Canadian Government started organising official celebrations in 1958, and it was after that that the name ‘Canada Day’ started to be used.”
Times have sure changed, with most communities big and small hosting some kind of Canada Day celebration annually. There are undoubtedly hundreds of Canada Day celebrations that take place each July 1, perhaps thousands when accounting for private parties. One of the things that makes these celebrations so special is the sense of unity they bring, knowing millions of Canadians are celebrating freedom, heritage, and Canadian pride simultaneously. It is a treat to be able to celebrate right here in North Dundas.
The Township-run fireworks display at the high school takes place in the northeast area of the school property, with plenty of free parking throughout the site. Bring a lawn chair, or enjoy the event from inside your vehicle, or in the back of a pickup truck. Remember the bug spray! The address of North Dundas District High School is 12835 County Road 43, Chesterville.